Student volunteers and their families from H.L. Johnson Elementary School made an impact within the Everglades ecosystem Saturday, Feb. 2 as the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation for the Everglades hosted its annual trail spruce-up at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
Students eagerly removed non-native and invasive plants, picked up litter and recyclables, and added mulch to the trails in preparation for Everglades Day on Saturday, Feb. 9. The community service hours earned for this not only taught them a lesson in social responsibility but also in respecting and cherishing the environment.
H.L. Johnson Elementary School was designated a Green School of Quality last year and is striving to be a Green School of Excellence this year.
In addition to the Feb. 2 event, students also participate in monthly beach cleanups and weekly “play-date-in-the-park” cleanups during which students meet to play but also pick up trash and recycling beforehand.
Above: Zachary Tish, Jackson Spellman, Jonathan Farrell, Rylan Gonzales and Kevin LeBrun.
