Bonus checkpoint: Birdhouse habitat!

Recently, a group of South Arbor students tackled a project that satisfies the Environmental Protection category of the Michigan Green School Certification program.

Armed with their library cards and safety goggles, they researched and constructed bluebird houses!

Specifically, eight boys from Scout Pack 495 met at the Ypsilanti District Library one evening and researched birds that are native to our area, what food is available to local birds, and what type of bird houses they prefer.

The boys also considered a spot to eventually mount the birdhouses - near the open field of the schoolyard.  The boys discussed their findings and settled on a bluebird house.

At their next meeting, the boys gathered in one of the parent’s garages and constructed two birdhouses for swallows and blue birds, using wood and power tools.  The boys incorporated some math skills along the way (measuring and adding up the cost of the materials).

They will install them in the schoolyard in the spring of 2013, either on existing fences or on posts that they install themselves, pending principal approval.

Thanks, Scouts, for your contribution to our schoolyard by creating a habitat for birds!

Career Awareness Bonus (jobs related to this post): librarian, carpenter, park ranger