Best Management Practices
Through student participation and curricular inquiry, Huntingtown High School uses Best Management Practices to promote community stewardship of our environment.
Habitat Restoration
Bay Grasses and Diamondback Terrapins with the National Aquarium
For the past 7 school years, we have received a baby diamondback terrapin from the National Aquarium in the fall. We then raise them in an aquarium to allow them to grow throughout the winter instead of hibernating. In the spring we release the terrapin back at Poplar Island, where it hatched, in hopes of increasing terrapin populations in the Chesapeake Bay.
While at Poplar Island, students learn about the history of Poplar Island and discuss how it has been recreated by the Army Corp of Engineers, determine suitable habitat for the terrapins as well as other organisms, and take water quality measurements. We have witnessed how our efforts from Bay grass planted during the first year we were in the program have flourished and provided the necessary elements for many bird species and muskrats, as well as the terrapins. We are really looking forward to releasing this year's terrapin, Stitch, on April 27, 2017!
The baby terrapins we have received in the fall have weighed close to 10 grams. Throughout the school year, students contribute to the husbandry of the terrapin, collect data, and learn about terrapin populations in the wild. Students and community members have truly enjoyed participating in this program.
Our experience has been shared with our community at the Huntingtown High School FLEXPO and Registration Night.
Since the 2011-2012 school year, select group of students accompany Mrs. Rowder and Mrs. Dove to the shores of Dominion Cove Point, here in our county, and plant over 2,000 Spartina alternaforia or Spartina patens plants each year! The restored wetland area provides a natural filtration system that helps prevent various pollutants from entering the Chesapeake Bay. Now that we have planted over 10,000 plants, the sense of accomplishment is overwhelming! Students also work with Aquarium staff taking GPS coordinates and measuring water quality while we are on site. We all celebrate with a fantastic lunch that Dominion Cove Point LNG provided for all of us!
For the past 7 school years, we have received a baby diamondback terrapin from the National Aquarium in the fall. We then raise them in an aquarium to allow them to grow throughout the winter instead of hibernating. In the spring we release the terrapin back at Poplar Island, where it hatched, in hopes of increasing terrapin populations in the Chesapeake Bay.
While at Poplar Island, students learn about the history of Poplar Island and discuss how it has been recreated by the Army Corp of Engineers, determine suitable habitat for the terrapins as well as other organisms, and take water quality measurements. We have witnessed how our efforts from Bay grass planted during the first year we were in the program have flourished and provided the necessary elements for many bird species and muskrats, as well as the terrapins. We are really looking forward to releasing this year's terrapin, Stitch, on April 27, 2017!
The baby terrapins we have received in the fall have weighed close to 10 grams. Throughout the school year, students contribute to the husbandry of the terrapin, collect data, and learn about terrapin populations in the wild. Students and community members have truly enjoyed participating in this program.
Our experience has been shared with our community at the Huntingtown High School FLEXPO and Registration Night.
Since the 2011-2012 school year, select group of students accompany Mrs. Rowder and Mrs. Dove to the shores of Dominion Cove Point, here in our county, and plant over 2,000 Spartina alternaforia or Spartina patens plants each year! The restored wetland area provides a natural filtration system that helps prevent various pollutants from entering the Chesapeake Bay. Now that we have planted over 10,000 plants, the sense of accomplishment is overwhelming! Students also work with Aquarium staff taking GPS coordinates and measuring water quality while we are on site. We all celebrate with a fantastic lunch that Dominion Cove Point LNG provided for all of us!
North Beach
Environmental Concern aided the town of North Beach in in attaining a $540,000 grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant Program. This project became critical for restoring and protecting the town of North Beach’s shoreline that had eroded over 40 feet, threatening the homes and residents during storms. Environmental Concern, the Town of North Beach and students from 3 of CCPS high schools, including Huntingtown High, was able to restore 670 feet of Walton’s Beach by planting 10,000 plugs of bay grasses. The students in addition to planning the grasses collected data at 5 living shoreline classroom stations. These students were a part of this project from the beginning with more than one field trip to the site. The data they collected in 2014-2015 at the classroom stations were used to determine habitat and water quality improvement.
HHS learned the value of a healthy habitat firsthand.
Environmental Concern aided the town of North Beach in in attaining a $540,000 grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant Program. This project became critical for restoring and protecting the town of North Beach’s shoreline that had eroded over 40 feet, threatening the homes and residents during storms. Environmental Concern, the Town of North Beach and students from 3 of CCPS high schools, including Huntingtown High, was able to restore 670 feet of Walton’s Beach by planting 10,000 plugs of bay grasses. The students in addition to planning the grasses collected data at 5 living shoreline classroom stations. These students were a part of this project from the beginning with more than one field trip to the site. The data they collected in 2014-2015 at the classroom stations were used to determine habitat and water quality improvement.
HHS learned the value of a healthy habitat firsthand.
Invasive Species Removal at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Replaced with Natives
Since 2014, students have participated in a capstone activity where they investigate invasive species as one of the factors causing the decline of native species and biodiversity. After conducting field surveys of biodiversity in an area dominated with native flora and another area where invasive species flourish, the students identify invasive autumn olive, remove it, and then plant native American holly trees. Students then bring this information back to the classroom to learn how and why invasive species were introduced, and their role as stewards of the Earth. At the end of the 2017 school year, students will take what they have learned and conduct an assessment of our school campus and propose habitat improvements.
Since 2014, students have participated in a capstone activity where they investigate invasive species as one of the factors causing the decline of native species and biodiversity. After conducting field surveys of biodiversity in an area dominated with native flora and another area where invasive species flourish, the students identify invasive autumn olive, remove it, and then plant native American holly trees. Students then bring this information back to the classroom to learn how and why invasive species were introduced, and their role as stewards of the Earth. At the end of the 2017 school year, students will take what they have learned and conduct an assessment of our school campus and propose habitat improvements.
Structures for Environmental Learning
Herb and Vegetable Garden
During the 2014-2015 school year, Huntingtown High School received a grant from the Calvert Environmental Trust for Youth (CETY) to further improve our campus. Funds from the grant were used to establish an herb and vegetable garden. The garden area was bordered with long beds to have flowers planted that provide pollinator habitat in hopes of increasing their declining populations, as well as improve the aesthetics of area. Students and staff worked on this project by building raised beds, adding nutrient rich leafgro to the beds and mulching in-between the beds.
Ms. McQuighan planted herbs and vegetables in the raised beds and has been using them in her Cultures and Cuisine classes. The caring and maintenance of the gardens by students in Ms. McQuighan’s classes provide them with a sense of accomplishment, healthy eating, and supporting our Buy Local initiative. Student experience with the garden also includes composting to teach students and staff about the benefits of creating more nutrient rich soil while reducing solid waste.
In the spring of 2017, the Save the Bees club will additional beds for pollinators and signage to help educate the community about the benefits of growing your own food, buying local, composting, and creating habitat for native pollinators.
During the 2014-2015 school year, Huntingtown High School received a grant from the Calvert Environmental Trust for Youth (CETY) to further improve our campus. Funds from the grant were used to establish an herb and vegetable garden. The garden area was bordered with long beds to have flowers planted that provide pollinator habitat in hopes of increasing their declining populations, as well as improve the aesthetics of area. Students and staff worked on this project by building raised beds, adding nutrient rich leafgro to the beds and mulching in-between the beds.
Ms. McQuighan planted herbs and vegetables in the raised beds and has been using them in her Cultures and Cuisine classes. The caring and maintenance of the gardens by students in Ms. McQuighan’s classes provide them with a sense of accomplishment, healthy eating, and supporting our Buy Local initiative. Student experience with the garden also includes composting to teach students and staff about the benefits of creating more nutrient rich soil while reducing solid waste.
In the spring of 2017, the Save the Bees club will additional beds for pollinators and signage to help educate the community about the benefits of growing your own food, buying local, composting, and creating habitat for native pollinators.
Native Trees and Carbon Sequestration
During the 2015-2016 school year, improvements were made to our campus when Dominion Cove Point planted native trees in an open field by our tennis courts.
During the 2015-2016 school year, improvements were made to our campus when Dominion Cove Point planted native trees in an open field by our tennis courts.
esa_21_trees-carbon.pdf |
Native Garden
In 2008, the Environmental Club created a native garden for public awareness. As we have become more concerned with native species, their ecological benefits, and local biodiversity, students use the garden as a point of reference. Each year students assistance with its maintenance.
In 2008, the Environmental Club created a native garden for public awareness. As we have become more concerned with native species, their ecological benefits, and local biodiversity, students use the garden as a point of reference. Each year students assistance with its maintenance.
Pollinator Garden and Hotel
Save the Bees Club future efforts include establishing a pollinator garden in spring 2017 complete with native plants and bee hotels. They will also be assisting Senior Girls Scout, Taylor Buck, in creating her Bee Barn at Biscoe Gray Park.
Save the Bees Club future efforts include establishing a pollinator garden in spring 2017 complete with native plants and bee hotels. They will also be assisting Senior Girls Scout, Taylor Buck, in creating her Bee Barn at Biscoe Gray Park.
Bay Grass Pond at HHS
Huntingtown High School continues to work with the National Aquarium on their wetland restoration project at Dominion Cove Point LNG. Using our 10'x10' pond constructed in 2012-2013 school year, each school year we raise Bay grasses to plant on a local beach to help restore shoreline. Throughout the school year, students monitor our grasses and water salinity.
Huntingtown High School continues to work with the National Aquarium on their wetland restoration project at Dominion Cove Point LNG. Using our 10'x10' pond constructed in 2012-2013 school year, each school year we raise Bay grasses to plant on a local beach to help restore shoreline. Throughout the school year, students monitor our grasses and water salinity.
Energy Conservation
Energy Reduction Incentives
The Board of Education started an initiative during the 2010-2011 school year offering schools a monetary bonus if they met a specific energy reduction goal. Huntingtown High School has continued these efforts which have allowed us to reach our goal in recent years and we are on our way to receiving it again this year. Our energy consumption has declined overall which has been a challenge due to the community use of our building. We have continued using high efficiency light fixtures, fixtures with occupancy sensors, and led lighting fixtures. At various times throughout the past school years, HHS' Environmental Club have posted energy conservation tips in staff emails, encouraged teachers to turn the lights off and use natural light, and posted newsletters in bathroom stalls and above water fountains regarding energy saving ideas. Stickers have been replaced on light switches, Smart Boards, and computer monitors to remind staff and students to turn off electronics when not in use. Before holiday breaks, staff is encouraged to unplug electronic devices to reduce "phantom" loads and teach students about energy stewardship.
The Board of Education started an initiative during the 2010-2011 school year offering schools a monetary bonus if they met a specific energy reduction goal. Huntingtown High School has continued these efforts which have allowed us to reach our goal in recent years and we are on our way to receiving it again this year. Our energy consumption has declined overall which has been a challenge due to the community use of our building. We have continued using high efficiency light fixtures, fixtures with occupancy sensors, and led lighting fixtures. At various times throughout the past school years, HHS' Environmental Club have posted energy conservation tips in staff emails, encouraged teachers to turn the lights off and use natural light, and posted newsletters in bathroom stalls and above water fountains regarding energy saving ideas. Stickers have been replaced on light switches, Smart Boards, and computer monitors to remind staff and students to turn off electronics when not in use. Before holiday breaks, staff is encouraged to unplug electronic devices to reduce "phantom" loads and teach students about energy stewardship.
HHS has also sponsored an Energy Expo for the past three years. During the Expo, Honors and AP Environmental Science students present information on different energy sources to fellow students, staff, and community members as well as energy conservation. In addition, local energy providers such as SMECO, Exelon, Solar Tech, and Solar City have also presented at the Expo. Each year our Energy Expo has been featured in our local newspaper, The Calvert Recorder, as well as on TheBayNet.
Waste ReductionHHS instituted a recycling program many years ago. It has required a lot of communication with our staff and students to increase the amount of recycling we collect to divert waste that goes to the landfill, but has been our focus for the 2016-2017 school year.
2016 The Environmental Club created fliers
2016 Homecoming
2016-2017Electronic Recycling
Recycled Material Projects
Recycling game at CCPS STEM Expo-February 2017
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Composting
In 2015, Ms. McQuighan started composting in alongside of the herb and vegetable garden. Students in Cultures and Cuisine classes compost all biodegrable food scraps from class.
In 2015, Ms. McQuighan started composting in alongside of the herb and vegetable garden. Students in Cultures and Cuisine classes compost all biodegrable food scraps from class.
2017 Earth Day Bin Beautification sponsored by Crochet for the Bay
- classes will compete for the most beautiful recycle bin
bin_beautification.pdf |