Students pair off to plant native cypress trees at Harns Marsh during a fifth-grade field trip.

More than 120 fifth-grade students from Harns Marsh Elementary School participated in a field day at East County Water Control District’s (ECWCD) Harns Marsh Preserve a 578-acre retention/detention area and wildlife preserve.

The field trip complemented the students’ environmental education curriculum and helps connect youth with nature. This is the second year of the District’s Nurture Nature stormwater outreach program.

“Last year the district staff conducted in-school presentations with 920 students at Harns Marsh Elementary School,” said Bill Walker, ECWCD water resource manager. “It was great to see that the children were excited to see Able Otter, and to connect with nature during this year’s field trip.”

The Nurture Nature program uses a combination of interactive programming and a work book centered around Able Otter, the district’s mascot, to help raise awareness on the District’s programs like stormwater pollution prevention and native plant maintenance.

“Environmental education for youth, residents and businesses has become a major part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s newly improved regulations to improve water quality,” Walker said.

ECWCD staff instructs students how to plant a native plant and teach about their importance

Students participated in three environmental stations during the day-long field trip: The Education Station Students enjoyed presentations from East County Water Control District, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Lee County Mosquito Control, and Florida Government Utilities Authority learning more about the role each organization plays in protecting environmental resources.

Nature Walk Students took a one-mile walk through the marsh where they tried to spot native and non-native plants that are listed in Able Otter’s Nurture Nature workbook. Students learned about water management practices, benefits of native plants, and the more than 120 species of animals living at the Marsh.

Native Planting Students were able to connect with nature through the Native Plant station as they paired off to plant a native cypress tree along the south edge of the marsh.

“The Nurture Nature program allows youth to connect with nature and helps ECWCD raise awareness about pressing environmental issues, and aims to create future stewards of our environment,” said Dave Lindsay, executive director of the ECWCD.