Students in Eureka Springs School District’s Environmental and Spacial Technologies program (EAST) are taking on their largest project to date: landscaping the 45-acre campus surrounding the new high school. And they are asking local residents to help by purchasing trees to be planted in memory of a person or special occasion.
“What makes it unique is that we are going to put a QR code on a waterproof ribbon,” said Warren Utsler, EAST coordinator. “It will take you to a Web site that will have a photo and the person’s story.”
The first tree was purchased in memory of Gary Hayhurst, pastor of Faith Christian Family Church, who died in September. Money is now being collected to buy a tree in memory of Mike Bonds, the teacher who died in August, and Elizabeth Parker, a student who passed away last year. A small tree costs $45. A large one is $85. The tree-planting is part of the GreenWay Project of Eureka Springs, a EAST effort dedicated to improving the environment of West Carroll County.
“We’re starting with the high school campus because the greatest need so far,” Utsler said.
Through EAST, high school students receive instruction at the University of Arkansas in the use of GIS (Geographic Information System), thermal imagery and CAD (computer-aided design), then use their skills to conduct public service projects. The Eureka Springs School District facilities committee requested that EAST students take on the landscaping project at the start of the school year, Utsler said.
“We are going to look at the whole campus plan and how it’s going to come together,” he said.
There is no budget, so students are looking for funding from grants and the community. They received approval Monday to start selling bricks for $35 a piece that will be engraved with person’s name and graduation year, Utsler said. The bricks will be used to pave pathways, with the money helping support the whole campus development project, he said.
Through the GreenWay Project, people can also help fund a park bench, garden or outdoor classroom for the campus. Utsler has applied for a grant to build an amphitheater with a rain garden. Another proposed project is an outdoor environmental education classroom for the middle school with two ponds connected by a stream. One grant, of $1,800 from the Arkansas Dept. of Fish and Game fines fund, has already come through, Utsler said. CAST, the Center for Advanced Spacial Technologies at UA, has also accepted their application, Utsler said, and is sending Robyn Dennis, a landscape architect, to help students complete a survey of the campus, identify erosion and other problems and map the grounds using GPS (Global Positioning System). The Carroll County University of Arkansas extension agent and Chris Fischer of the Arts in Education program of the Arkansas Arts Council will also be consulted, Utsler said.
In the past, EAST students have mapped the fire hydrants and the springs in Eureka Springs, Utsler said. Students run the program, coming up with ideas, recruiting clients and working with them to solve problems. EAST student Marcello Gros, 14, is currently running a project that recycles ink cartridges, cell phones and small electronics through the Office Depot Recycling Program. Collection boxes are set up at schools, Gros said, with Office Depot paying the shipping cost and crediting a student account that can be used to buy products.
“It’s self-directed learning,” Utsler said.
To help students with the campus landscaping project by buying a tree or brick, send a check made out to the Eureka Springs School District to 2 Lake Lucerne Rd., Eureka Springs, AR 72632. Include information to go on the brick or about the person or occasion the tree commemorates.
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