Hope View wetlands

Mary A. Castillo

The Hope View Elementary wetlands project was more than students

learning about the Bolsa Chica wetlands. It was a project that allowed

new teachers to learn from a seasoned one and let children share their

knowledge with other students.

“Welcome to the Hope View wetlands,” said Timothy Porfolio, 7 as he

stopped in front of an atrium that had been transformed into a

mini-wetland.

“Did you know that pelicans make big nests in big trees,” he asked,

pointing to a papier-mache pelican on the other side of the glass.

The wetlands project, which included lessons in science, social

studies and English, was funded by a service learning grant from the

California Beginning Teachers Support Access program.

“Service learning is designed to build advocacy in children,” said

Nancy Schager, a teacher for nearly 39 years. “But it also helps support

new teachers.”

Schager and the four first-year teachers who worked on the project

chose to focus on the Bolsa Chica wetlands.

“People have fought for it for years,” explained Schager. “We wanted

our students to have a love for it.”

After the classes studied and visited the Bola Chica wetlands,

teachers and students brainstormed together on how they could share their

knowledge with others.

“They couldn’t take all of their friends to the wetlands,” quipped

Schager.

So, instead, they took an aging atrium and created their own wetlands.

The classes each chose a bird native to the wetlands and embarked on a

study of the habits of that particular bird. Heards Gardening donated the

landscaping and Home Depot provided the paint for the small pond. Before

the wetland was officially opened for tours, each class contributed its

bird.

After completing a tour, the student tour guides gave their visitor a

shell.

“I hope the people I showed it to learn that by putting pollution into

the water and making houses on the wetlands [we] leave the birds without

homes,” said Kassie Pinegar, 6.

“My favorite part is the waterfall and the birds,” said Kellie

Toyofuku, 7.

Some of the students have walked away from the project with very high

hopes.

“I hope people help them and save them forever and ever,” said

7-year-old Joey Blood.