This project began in 1997 with a vision to create a community nature trail that would benefit students, civic groups, community organizations, and the public at large. In brief, the Esten School was built on land that is surrounded by woodlands, streams, and low-lying swamps. Environmentally, the area has a rich history and offered the perfect setting for students, teachers, and other community members to explore and learn first hand about local, wildlife habitats and their importance to the community. Educationally, it provided our school system with the opportunity to add another dimension to the classroom by extending the learning environment outdoors.

So how did the project evolve? Initially, we involved students in almost every aspect of the trail's design and construction. Actually, students became cartographers, historians, and naturalists. As the project began, with the help of their community partners such as members of the historical society, local surveyors, and members of the conservation committee, students investigated many aspects of the land. They explored its geographical and historical features, located original surveyor maps, and became woodland planners as they began carving the paths that now are hiking trails for all of the community today.

Indeed, we have had many successes. We began with one hiking path and within two years added three more trails. As our trail system grew, students became naturalists themselves as they investigated and studied the variety of plants and animals native to our woodland and stream habitats. During the 1999-2000 school year, high school students with the guidance and supervision of high school teachers built a boardwalk that traverses a Red Maple Swamp. The beauty and variety of plant and animal life found in this wetland area has amazed and intrigued students and visitors over the past eight years. Enthusiastically, during the 2000 school year, students joined the Massachusetts Environmental Outreach Program known as Biodiversity Days to promote environmental awareness. It has now become an annual event. Students prepare for this springtime celebration by conducting their own research in preparation of taking on the role of Park Rangers to provide informative guided tours to over 500 visitors.

The enthusiasm to develop the nature trail and form new partnerships within the community has never faded. Incredibly, our students have taken on the role of authors, photographers and illustrators as they have published several books. Our first publication was a collection of poetry books entitled  If Trees Could Talk...Through the Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall and feature a variety of poetic styles that incorporate facts about the plant species found in our woodland habitat. Wildflowers, Trees, and Fungi...Oh My! became our own field guide and was published in 2005. It features digital photographs of flowering plants and trees, a description of each species, and a "Wild Fact" detailing an unusual fact of interest. Then came its sequel, Wildflowers, Trees, and Geometry...Oh My! If you haven't guessed already, it's all about patterns in nature.

The significance of this project is multifaceted; however, to put it simply, in planning and constructing the Esten Community Nature Trail, students have preserved an area of land with many important ecosystems. This in itself is commendable since we live in an age where precious resources are lost to new construction projects each and every day. Respectfully, through their own investigations and continuous involvement of maintaining the trails, students have come to understand the value of these ecosystems and the importance of protecting them. They have also learned to appreciate the diversity of life and the amazing structures found in nature. Without a doubt, they continuously assist each other in the learning process by forging new partnerships within the school. And most certainly, students continue to reach out to the community, as their publications are part of the town's library collection for all to enjoy. Indeed, students unwittingly are learning the importance of diversity and the value of collaborative endeavors. What more could we hope to achieve since our young scholars will some day be our community leaders!

On a final note, each new school year brings forth another generation of learners with new ideas to share and as a result, the Nature Trail Project continues to impact our students and other members of the community in positive ways. The entire Rockland community can take pride in knowing this project has promoted and, will continue to promote, respect for our local environment and its natural resources as it builds collaborative, educational partnerships.

Partner Statement

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) would like to congratulate the participants in the Esten Community Nature Trail project on winning the Environmental Excellence Award for 2008. For the past 10 years, students at Esten Elementary School, as well as members of the community, have partnered to develop the trail and utilize it as an educational and community resource. Students have collected data and other useful information and created their own field guides for the community to use. The school and community have done an excellent job using the trail and wetland boardwalk not just for nature/science education, but for a wide variety of topics and skills development.

NWF is happy to support Esten Elementary School's next endeavor, transforming the school courtyard into a wildlife habitat, which will provide outdoor learning opportunities for students and community members while providing habitat for wildlife. NWF is proud to partner with Esten Elementary School as they continue to provide the next generation with a chance to connect with nature and their community, creating a new generation of environmental stewards.