By Nancy Covert
Sixth graders from Pioneer Middle School, along with a dozen adults, made a major political statement on Nov. 4 through their efforts at a former cattle ranch near Nisqually.
Sixty-two Pioneer Middle School 6th graders from Ms. Stewart’s and Mrs. Lowe’s core classes, planted more than 240 trees to help restore the former cattle ranch into the marsh habitat it once was hundreds of years ago.
Known as Braget’s Marsh, this area was the focal point of the students’ tree replanting efforts to restore habitat for a variety of animals that use the area.
“This habitat will help migratory birds, salmon, and many other species that are endangered or threatened or that need this habitat to survive,” said Mrs. Lowe.
After they’d completed their work, students shared their impressions about how their actions will impact the future. Students such as Lacey Thomson and Christian Guevera talked about the project.
“I impacted the future because I planted trees, and fish hide in the trees. They also use trees’ oxygen. Helping salmon impacted the future because every organism plays an important part in the circle of life. If salmon became extinct, it could throw off life’s cycle. So I impacted the future by helping protect life’s cycle,” Lacy said.
“I planted six trees,” said Christian, “and if the trees fall into the river, salmon and other types of fish can make homes in the water. I also planted the trees for the birds so they can rebuild their habitat.”
“Without those trees (we planted there), the salmon in the Nisqually River might die off,” added Maegan George.
At the day’s conclusion six dozen plus workers stood back and admired their efforts ‚Äîknowing that their efforts did, indeed, impact the future for this area.