Scout Proposes Changes to Mr. B's Backyard Classroom

A local boy scout has some ideas for enhancing Mr. B’s Outdoor Classroom, and on Monday night, May 21, the gave him approval to implement his ideas.

Aaron Zimmerman, of Troop 26 and a student at Cedar Creek High School, put forth a proposal to add nest boxes, a bat box, a log snag for turtles to sit in the middle of the pond without being disturbed by students, a lilly pad for frogs, plants, benches and a depth gauge.

Mr. B’s Outdoor Classroom is a retention basin located near the entrance of the Galloway Township Middle School near the athletic fields, and is accessible to three schools, including Reeds Road and Roland Rogers elementary schools. It is hosting its today, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

It was created in honor of “Mr. B," Guy Buckelew, who taught sixth grade at Reeds Road for 14 years. On the school’s website for “Mr. B’s Backyard Classroom,” Buckelew is described as someone who “instilled a sense of environmental awareness to his students,” by “attempting to bring the outdoors in and instructed utilizing these natural elements.”

“The reason for the project would be to create new features for birds, bats, aquatic species and insects,” Zimmerman wrote in his proposal. “These changes will increase the biodiversity of the area and give the students and teachers more species to discover and learn about.”

He said he feels the nest boxes would draw in more species of bird to live in the area because of the mixture of thicket and fields in the surrounding area. He believes bluebird, tree swallow, house wren, chickadee and titmouse might be attracted to the area by the boxes. He added plants such as Hibiscus and ornamental plants such as the butterfly bush could increase the variety of insects.

“The strategic placement of three benches around the pond would allow students to make observations of the many species and the natural beauty of the area,” Zimmerman wrote in his presentation. “A depth gauge could be installed within sight of the dock, and can be used to monitor how water level changes with seasons, after a storm or drought, etc.”

Zimmerman, who was a student in Debra Sommers’ science class when he attended Galloway Township Middle School, must now seek approval from council, and hopes to begin the project in the summer, with a completion target date of early fall.

“During the summer, I’ll solicit donations from hardware stores and nurseries. I hope to get some of the aquatic plants from the nurseries to place along the edge,” Zimmerman said, adding he won’t be sure what the approximate cost of the project will be until he knows what donations he’ll be getting. “Once I know the donations, I can hold fundraisers for supplies.”

Board Member Suzette Cordero told him to keep the board informed about the fundraisers, so they know what he’s doing and if he needs any help.

“We’re happy you chose our school system to do it,” Board President Ernest Huggard told Zimmerman.