Far Brook School students welcomed their new Head of School, Amy Ziebarth, with a full-day celebration as they planted over 1000 specimens of native plants in the Schoolyard Wetlands Habitat. The celebration, entitled “New Beginnings: Planting Roots” followed Far Brook’s daily Morning Meeting. Faculty members and students filed, class by class, into the wetlands area, and sang an autumn song in canon as a redbud tree was planted in honor of Ms. Ziebarth. The event continued throughout the day, as each grade returned to plant scores of native seedlings, small trees, and shrubs. Older students assisted younger students, and all received guidance and encouragement from Ms. Ziebarth and teachers.

 

The planting of these native species is part of an ongoing restoration of Far Brook’s two-acre wetlands habitat, which serves as an outdoor classroom for students. The area, certified as a Schoolyard Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation in 2002, includes a freshwater marsh and woodlands. Far Brook’s wetlands area is a haven to many species of birds, insects, plants, and animals.

 

The “New Beginnings” event was planned and sponsored by Far Brook’s Board of Trustees. Teachers, parents, and a landscape architect worked together to provide students with an educational opportunity to learn about plant species native to our local area.