Lake Forest High School in Felton is putting out the welcome mat for birds, butterflies, rabbits, deer and other wildlife while offering students an outdoor classroom that will introduce them to habitat restoration and management techniques that are essential for the future of Delaware's natural resources.

The school is one of the first in the state to participate in Project Nature Share, a new component of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Green Infrastructure Initiative. The Schoolyard Habitat Program provides materials and expertise to encourage the creation of wildlife habitat areas as learning centers in schools throughout the state.

Governor Ruth Ann Minner, Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Pat Emory and Lake Forest teacher Mark Breeding inaugurated the new Schoolyard Habitat program Friday, April 29 at a tree planting ceremony on the 10-acre site.  They were joined by students and project partners, including the Lake Forest School District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Kent Conservation District, and the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

Breaking ground for Lake Forest High School's Schoolyard Habitat.

"Today's students are the landowners and leaders of tomorrow and they must be prepared to take care of Delaware's natural environment," Governor Minner said.   "The Schoolyard Habitat program will help to ensure that Delawareans will always be able to enjoy the sights and sounds that enrich our lives – from frogs singing in the spring to owls hooting on a summer's night."

"People who spend time on the land know the importance of responsible land stewardship," Emory said.   "Helping to create and manage wildlife habitat right on their school grounds will provide that opportunity to Delaware's students.  We will all benefit from their experiences."

The Lake Forest project is one of four schoolyard habitats currently under construction, and the only one in the Murderkill River Watershed.  The others are at Christ the Teacher School in New Castle, Milford High School and Lulu Ross Elementary School in Milford.

Plans for the Lake Forest project include helping the students create a wetland and forested buffer along a drainage ditch behind the school, and planting warm season grasses, trees and a wildflower meadow.   In addition to creating habitat for a variety of species, converting unused turf to natural landscapes will save the district money on mowing, watering, fertilizer and weed killers and will have additional benefits to water quality entering the Murderkill River.

The project will cost approximately $13,266 with 75% funded through the Natural Resource Conservation Service Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and the remaining 25% through DNREC and the Green Infrastructure Program.   "As funding becomes available and word of the success of the program spreads, we hope to make some form of Project Nature Share's Schoolyard Habitat program available to every school district in the state," said Emory.  The project at Lake Forest High School is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.