This summer, camp counselor Leah completed an incredible Gold Star project with a goal of helping protect and restore the shoreline of the creek near our playground.
Over the years, this area has experienced erosion from heavy rain events, digging in the creekbed and rock dams built by visitors, and a lack of larger plants along the shoreline. Leah wanted to find a way to help stabilize the area while still keeping the creek a fun and welcoming place for visitors to explore.
To learn more about what would work best, Leah worked with Taylor, a wetland scientist from Meridian Land Services, to identify plants that could help reduce further erosion. From Taylor’s recommendations, Leah chose blueberry bushes! 🫐
Leah secured donated blueberry bushes, planted them alongside summer campers, and marked off the area so the plants can get established. She also:
🌱 Created educational signs to explain the project
🌱 Taught campers about erosion, plants, and caring for the creek
🌱 Donated a sandbox and sand so visitors still have a designated place to dig
🌱 Added a lid to the sandbox to help keep wildlife out
We’re so grateful to Leah for finding a creative way to care for this special part of the farm while helping others learn how they can care for it, too.
**If you visit the creek, you can help Leah’s project succeed!**
🫐 Please give the newly planted blueberries plenty of space while they get established.
💧 Please enter and exit the creek from the main sandy area rather than jumping down from the hillsides.
🏖️ Please use the sandbox for digging rather than digging in the creek’s sandy areas.
🪨 If you build a rock dam in the creek, please take it apart before you leave so water can continue to flow naturally.
Small actions can make a big difference in protecting our creek—and Leah has given our community a wonderful place to start. Thank you, Leah! ✨
