At the Mobile County Public Schools' Environmental Studies Center (ESC), when life gave us lemons, we grabbed some sugar and ice water and got busy. When you visit now, you may notice some things look a bit different. We miss our students terribly; however, the quieter grounds have allowed us to make structural improvements, which would have been difficult if we had students each day. Instead, our educators rolled up their sleeves and went beyond their call of duty to become construction workers and landscape artists.
We received two grants from the Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council to improve the amphitheater and add a new boardwalk structure near the gum pond. We were also able to hire Southern Edge Lawncare and Landscaping to install a decorative rain garden that will reduce erosion issues near the lake. With a grant from the Turner Foundation, we reconfigured our pollinator gardens to make them more accessible to students and easier to maintain.
An active hurricane season caused some damage to the property. As a result, we removed a damaged tree that was unsafe and cleared problematic limbs. We also burned our pitcher plant bog to assist in a healthy rejuvenation, and the Eagle Scouts helped us replace the boards on the boardwalk there.
One of our biggest blessings is volunteer Gordon Burch who single-handedly cleared the perimeter of the lake, making for a much prettier view. The new benches and picnic tables built by the Eagle Scouts add a great spot to eat lunch.
The 2020-2021 school year has been an interesting one to say the least. Learning has gone virtual in many cases, and the students who are in a classroom are doing so with a new mindset. The ESC has not been spared. Our doors remain closed to the public. Our outdoor areas, however, are open and ready for visitors. Come see us and what we have improved for you. We look forward to your visit.
Meet the author
Tracy Jay, Ed.D.
Director, Environmental Studies Center
Tracy Jay is a member of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium's Engagement and Education Team. She is the director of the Mobile County Public School System's Environmental Studies... Read more
Phone: 251-221-5000
Email: [email protected]