Cornerstone School’s Eco-Eagles, an after school environmental enrichment program for fourth through sixth grade students, is back up and running for its second school year. Students learn about nature and the environment through games, reuse crafts, hikes on the school’s trails and presentations from local businesses and organizations.

Randy Payne, Environmental Health and Safety Manager for Tyson Foods, has presented to this group in the past, sharing how Tyson treats wastewater from their plant.  Students learn about anaerobic and aerobic water treatment phases, and how this process cleans the water so that it can be released into the environment through non-consumptive uses.

“These presentations allow children to make that real life connection to learning,” said Denise Carleton, who coordinates the group through her non-profit, Reaping Nature Educational Outreach Foundation.

Nikki Belmonte of the Atlanta Audubon Society presented to students at their November meeting. Students gained an appreciation for different species of birds, including the red-headed woodpecker. This species numbers are declining due to loss of habit because they prefer to make their homes in dead standing trees. There are approximately 350 resident and migratory birds in Georgia.

Reaping Nature is able to provide the Eco-Eagles program free of charge to the school and students through sponsorships from Olde Atlanta Recycling and Sanitation Solutions, two Forsyth County owned and operated businesses.

“We hope to grow the work that we do in schools and the community through similar sponsorships,” said Carleton.  “Environmental education teaches children that love of place and is an incredible vehicle to provide self-motivation, while reinforcing standards taught in classrooms.”