Earth Day partnership project benefits Lincoln Elementary

Girl Scout troops at Lincoln Elementary celebrated Earth Day with a special project and a special partnership. Scouts in kindergarten through sixth grade participated in the effort to improve the school's north border that encompasses a shady hillside.

The girls' efforts complemented a public / private partnership launched by Quality Care, the Nature Company, nearly 25 years ago with Lincoln school. Most recently, Goeff Wilming, vice president of operations at Quality Care, is working with Lincoln principal Ann Langenfeld to re-establish a native landscape on the school's north hillside.

More than 30 girls in Daisy, Brownies, Juniors and Cadette Girl Scout troops were involved in the planting project. Following instruction about trees and the environment presented by Wilming, the scouts helped plant an oak tree that Quality Care donated to Lincoln Elementary. Quality Care also helped safely remove the old savanna oak from the hillside that had been destroyed by carpenter ants.

After the tree was planted with help from Quality Care employees, the girls continued their Earth Day efforts by collecting litter from the school grounds to earn an Earth Day badge.

Langenfeld, who is in her first year as principal at Lincoln, connected Wilming and Kristina Brown, co-leader with Jean Hegland of the Daisy Troop 5056, to extend the partnership and learning opportunities.

Brown, whose daughter Kaityn is a member of the Lincoln Daisy Scouts that is composed of kindergarten and first grade students, said the project was a good one for the youngsters. “It was exciting for the girls to be together with other scout troops at Lincoln School. The program gave the girls an opportunity to learn about the environment as well as earn a Daisy Petal and Earth Badge for their Daisy vest.”

Kaityn, 5 1/2, who enjoys earning badges as a part of the Daisy experience, says planting the tree was fun. “After we helped plant the tree, we earned a Green Petal.”

Claire Ernst, 6, says she is proudest of her Daisy petal for responsibility. “It's for what I say and do, and it helps me remember not to do something that hurts somebody's feelings.”

Both girls identify the young oak as “their tree.”

Wilming also identified a small oak sapling that was likely planted by squirrels living in the neighborhood and the invasive garlic mustard weed.

Langenfeld says the project with Quality Care is improving the Lincoln property and teaching valuable lessons. “It's giving our youngsters important information about the environment and teaching them they can make a difference with their actions.”

Wilming said Quality Care staff occasionally uses hand mowers to control woody, nonnative growth that impedes tree growth. “Many of the large oaks on the hillside have reached their lifespan. Removing them safely and replanting the native oak trees is one goal of the ongoing Lincoln project. The other goal is working with students to enhance their interest in the natural environment.”

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Cutline: Daisy Scouts Claire Ernst (left) and Kaityn Brown are members of Scout Troop 5056 that recently planted a new oak tree on the Lincoln Elementary school grounds with the help of Quality Care, the Nature Company. Quality Care donated the tree and helped remove a giant diseased oak.