Poland school goes WILD

Staff report

POLAND

Dobbins Elementary School became an official WILD school site Friday.

The school is the 116th site dedicated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife in the state and only the sixth school to be dedicated in Mahoning County.

Students at Dobbins Elementary are studying the life cycle of butterflies and native Ohio flowers. The students received assistance from the Mahoning County Soil & Water Conservation District in growing flowers to create a sustainable butterfly habitat.

School officials say the children learned about wildlife and the environment during the project.

Any school property used by students, teachers, and the school community as a place to learn about and benefit from wildlife and the environment can be certified as a WILD school site, said Jamey Graham, wildlife communication specialist in a news release.

The sites function within the premise that every school, regardless of size and location, can provide outdoor educational opportunities that can and should be part of an integrated environmental education program, Graham said.

WILD School Sites that demonstrate program development and site enhancement are eligible for certification as an official Ohio WILD School.