• 63°

Alabama Wildlife Federation awards outdoor classroom grant to James Clemens

Alabama Wildlife Federation presented a grant for an outdoor classroom to James Clemens High School. Principal Dr. Brian Clayton, at left, accepted the grant, along with teachers Brittany Bankston, Patricia Williams and retired Sgt. Maj. Samuel McCray. April Waltz, at right, is the federation's outdoor classroom coordinator. (CONTRIBUTED)
Alabama Wildlife Federation presented a grant for an outdoor classroom to James Clemens High School. Principal Dr. Brian Clayton, at left, accepted the grant, along with teachers Brittany Bankston, Patricia Williams and retired Sgt. Maj. Samuel McCray. April Waltz, at right, is the federation’s outdoor classroom coordinator. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – James Clemens High School has received a grant for an outdoor classroom from the Alabama Wildlife Federation.

James Clemens will use the $940 grant to help with developing outdoor learning stations for hands-on activities for students. The school will enhance a campus area with native plants to provide a habitat for local backyard wildlife.

The federation presented the grant to Patricia Williams, James Clemens biology teacher and outdoor classroom coordinator.

“For Phase I development, we envision transforming our natural habitat area into a resourceful outdoor classroom, where excitement and student engagement intersects with science, mathematics, reading and the arts in a living laboratory,” Williams said. “Year One will include a butterfly garden, raised garden beds, birdhouse stations and a bog.”

When James Clemens opened in 2012, a walking trail was established. Teachers and students will replace some non-native, invasive plants there with native species that produce nectar to attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators. Songbirds can eat from other native plants and bushes.

Workers will convert an existing retention pond into a small, artificial bog as an example wetland for students to study.

Teachers will present units for studying insects’ life cycles and habitats, calculating the bog’s soil pH and exploring ways that bogs decrease soil erosion. Students will observe, draw and classify wildlife found in and around the habitat and use that data to calculate species diversity, Williams said.

In addition, students can track bird and butterfly migration. Signage will inform students about plants, their affect on the ecosystem and the habitat these species provide for local wildlife.

The Alabama Outdoor Classroom program involves a partnership with Alabama Wildlife Federation, Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The federation’s program offers competitive grants open to any school with grades K-12 enrolled in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom program. More than 300 Alabama schools have received funds to develop and use outdoor classroom sites.

For more information, visit alabamawildlife.org/classrooms.

Bob Jones High School

Local Talent Shines In Alabama Baseball Victory At Toyota Field

Bob Jones High School

Bartlett selected as Executive Director of US Chess Federation

Madison

Mill Creek students shine in Elementary Science Olympiad

Madison

Facility dog Daryl comforts, ‘listens’ to children at Midtown elementary

Madison

Batt-Rawden named ‘Alabama School Psychologist of the Year’

Madison

Madison city councilman Teddy Powell loses to Marilyn Lands in special election for HD10

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ population fondly remembers Angela Mooney

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 27, 2024

Events

AUSA showcasing the U.S. Army’s technological advances in Huntsville

Madison

Voters in HD10 to decide who fills unexpired term today

Madison

Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

Harvest

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical

Events

Arts Huntsville announces Panoply Arts Festival 2024 highlights  

Huntsville

Women in Tech – Huntsville event to view business future, open scholarships

James Clemens High School

Students in grades K-11 earn City Chess Champ titles

Madison

MVP Community Impact Grant helps library’s Music Garden

Harvest

Enjoy a day of celebration at TARCOG’s Senior Fun Fest

Madison

Kim Dykes named state’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication Professional

Bob Jones High School

All-Girls National Chess Championships set for Chicago

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Mustang Mud Run Set For April 13- Register Now

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Madison Miracle League Facility Hopes To Be “Shining” Location

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Awards: Madison residents and business leaders named finalists for volunteerism awards

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 13, 2024

x