Nearly 100 students recently took part in watershed management lesson and to clean up their Chautauqua Lake community. Submitted photo

On May 24 and 25, 95 sixth grade students from Southwestern Central School assembled in the village of Lakewood under the guidance of earth science teacher Kimberly Pannes for a lesson in watershed management and to clean up their Chautauqua Lake community as a part of the Hands-on Neighborhood Initiative.

They coordinated efforts with the Lakewood Parks Department and the Chautauqua County Land Bank under the direction of Gina Paradis. Together they formed the very first Hands-on Lakewood Team, which helps expand the former “Hands on Jamestown,” which Paradis hopes will become a countywide initiative.

The students were afforded the opportunity to listen to guest speaker, Andy Johnson, owner of Eco Strategies who engineered the Crescent Creek Project in the village as a way to filter pollutants and sediments from reaching Chautauqua Lake shores.

Following the lesson on environmental engineering, the students were off to plant flowers, weed and mulch beds, clean up litter at the surrounding parks and along the village streets.

“It was a great way to facilitate a real-world experience that coincides with our current units on watershed, Earth Day, conservation, and so much more. Our students could make meaningful connections to their learning, and also feel proud of helping their community with this community service event. I always say kids need to do science, not just read about it, and what better way than to get outside.”

Mrs. Pannes hopes that this will become an annual event for the students at Southwestern Middle School, and that they can continue to support the clean- up efforts spearheaded by the Land Bank and Hands on Neighborhood coalition.