David Word is an 11th and 12th grade AP biology and environmental science teacher at St. Francis High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Thanks to his participation in Teachers on the Estuary last summer he has been very busy with his students this year, removing invasive species within a 200 square foot area of riparian forest along the Beargrass Creek. Species of invasives within the plot included Bush Honeysuckle, English Ivy, and Winter Creeper.

After the removal, the group planted 70 native plants within the same area. Native species planted include: Great Blue Lobelia, Joe Pye Weed, Mistflower, Thimbleweed, Slender Mountain Mint, Wild Geranium, and Jack in the Pulpit.

David reported:

After studying the concept of restoration, the five AP Environmental Science students (high school juniors and seniors) wanted to develop a project that would allow them to help a local urban stream… the students decided to develop this project to help improve water quality and provide habitat along the stream as it flows to its confluence with the Ohio River (about 5.5 miles downstream) by improving a small section of the riparian zone. Future students will continue to monitor the site and make improvements as necessary.

Congratulations to David and his student stewards!

The photographs below show the plot…

1. Before removal of invasive species
2. During the invasive species removal process, and
3. After removal of invasives and planting of native species