Grant helps Washougal High students restore native habitat

Washougal High School Green Team students are working to transform the school’s courtyard into a native habitat learning space with support from a local grant.

The student-led group aims to earn a certification through the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, a partnership between the Columbia Land Trust and Bird Alliance of Oregon. The project is supported by a grant from the Camas-Washougal Community Garden Club.

“They’re learning about native ecosystems, making a difference for the environment, and helping create a space the entire school can enjoy,” Green Team co-leader Alexandra Yost said in a news release.

In December, the Backyard Habitat Certification Program conducted a site assessment and recommended next steps in order for the Green Team to achieve Backyard Habitat Certification status.

The students will use money the student club has raised, along with the Garden Club grant, to replant the courtyard with regionally appropriate native species, remove invasive plant species and improve pollinator habitat over the next few months.

The club will also work with the district’s facilities team to reduce nighttime lighting and incorporate educational signage this winter and spring, following recommendations from the Backyard Habitat Certification Program. Eventually, the courtyard will be divided into sections so multiple student groups can participate in hands-on habitat restoration over time.

“Students have already done a lot of hands-on work to move this project forward,” Green Team co-leader Janet Franklin said in the news release. “They removed old weed fabric, laid down cardboard and bark mulch, and planted native species in the north section of the courtyard. It’s been exciting to see their effort turn into real progress.”

Through a fall plant sale, the Green Team also earned store credit donated by Nature’s Haven, a local nursery,.