Success Stories

There are many ways youth groups can become involved in service learning action projects. Here are a few examples of what some youth have already done:

• Students in northern California worked with the city parks department to rebuild a local park for the people in their community. They picked up trash, built nature trails,planted trees along the stream bank, and replaced invasive species with native trees.
• High school students in Florida received real-life lessons in the stewardship of an environmentally sensitive wetland that filters water flowing into a local lake. Students collected water quality and quantity data, expanded plant and animal species lists, created kiosk displays, maintained nature trails, and constructed two bridges.
• Junior high school students in New Hampshire worked together to collect data on weather, soils, wildlife habitat,and watersheds in a local forest. With the help of experts, students conducted a forest inventory and developed a management plan for local officials.
• Sixth-graders in an after-school program in Illinois turned an empty lot into a neighborhood park. With help from local experts on landscape design and plant selection, these kids created an urban forest in their community.

We would love to hear what your group has done. Please send us your success stories and photos. Mail your submissions to mcmonroe@ufl.edu.