Environmental Day almost doubles in size
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
On Wednesday, 400 juniors and seniors descended upon the city’s Deerwood Arboretum during school hours. No, it wasn’t Spring Skip Day, though with the beautiful weather it felt a bit like one.

The science students instead traveled in small groups to 10 learning stations to learn about groundwater, ecology, the importance of ecosystems to the animals that live in them and more.

The program, hosted by the city’s Engineering Department, almost doubled in size this year, up from 240 students in 2010. It started in 2009 with about 175, said Todd Spangler, a city engineer and program coordinated.

The logistics of planning for that many students was a challenge Spangler said, but except for a log jam with the school buses at the park’s entrance, all went smoothly. More than 80 adults, including environmental educators and industry representatives, parents, Mayor Betsy Crossley, Commissioner Paul Webb and others, volunteered this year.

Asked to name the highlight of the day, Spangler’s answer came quick: “The weather,” he said. “We’ve been so blessed all three years with this event. It was a gorgeous day.”

Beyond the sunshine, however, he said the program’s growth is the best thing about it.

“We got to impact more students this year; that’s probably the biggest thing for me. The teachers do such a wonderful job in the classrooms and always look forward to being able to be outside so the students can really experience what they’ve been taught,” Spangler said.

“We’re just coming alongside and helping them any way we can.”

Photos for Brentwood Home Page by Peg Fredi