Monday, March 26, 2018

Fourth Graders Release Trout

Spotted on one tank:  Farewell messages facing the trout.

Over a hundred trout, raised in Brooklyn, made it to the Esopus Creek.  Their caretakers, fourth graders, released them into waters that link NYS reservoirs.  The very reservoirs that supply NYC waters!






Last few reluctant to leave...

 






 







 


















Thanks to Louis, Karen, Kaelyn, Johanna, and Doug for pictures.
And thanks to Lillit Genovisi of Trout in the Classroom who helped us through!

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Bringing Back the American Chestnut

Bart holding a seed with its radicle ready to root.

Bart Chezar and Timothy McKinney enlisted the help of second grade naturalists to help restore the American chestnut tree. 

Bart taught us that the American chestnut was an important source of food and wood for humans and a major factor in the health of our woodland ecosystems. 

Unfortunately, a disease has led to their disappearance.  

The American Chestnut Foundation is behind the efforts to plant both native and genetically modified seeds in the hopes that these trees can once again be part of our woodlands. 

Each of the four classes was given a native chestnut seed to raise and monitor.  If successful, we will plant our trees in Prospect Park.  








Bart and Tim












For more information...

Link to The American Chestnut Foundation

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Snow Much Fun; Snow Much Learning

Green recess turns into white recess and a physics playground.




Basic building block.




First bridge of the year.