Restoring Roots: Middle Schoolers Lead the Way at Saint Edward State Park

足彩app哪个是正规的s from Finn Hill Environmental Adventure School use loppers and gloves to carefully remove thick stalks of invasive Himalayan blackberry at Saint Edward State Park. This collaborative effort required teamwork to safely clear the dense thickets while protecting the surrounding native trees and forest floor.

Energy of a New Generation

Restoration work is often slow and methodical—but sometimes, the energy of a new generation accelerates progress in ways that surprise everyone involved.

Savannah Greenwalt, an Earth System Science major at the University of Washington Bothell and an invasive species intern with CoSEE, experienced this firsthand while working alongside students from the Environmental Adventure School (EAS) at Finn Hill. Together, they took on a restoration project at Saint Edward State Park that demonstrated how local, community-driven action can create immediate and meaningful change for regional ecosystems.

High-Energy Restoration in Action

In early March, middle school students from Finn Hill EAS joined CoSEE for a three-day restoration effort focused on removing Himalayan blackberry, an invasive species that outcompetes native plants and disrupts ecosystem balance.

足彩app哪个是正规的s concentrated their work in two key areas: near the Orchard Picnic Site and along a section of the perimeter trail by the Native Plant Garden. While blackberry removal is physically demanding, the group quickly exceeded expectations. “We didn’t expect them to work so fast,” Greenwalt shared.

By the final day, students had cleared their original site so thoroughly that the team shifted to a new area to maintain momentum. 足彩app哪个是正规的ir success wasn’t just about energy—it was rooted in collaboration. Working in small groups, students shared strategies for effective removal, rotated tools, and ensured that everyone had a role in the process.

A group of middle school students from Finn Hill EAS work together to clear invasive Himalayan blackberry at Saint Edward State Park. Using shovels and teamwork, the students efficiently cleared large sections of the forest floor to support local biodiversity and make room for native species to thrive.

Purpose, Learning, and Impact

This project reflects CoSEE’s dual focus on ecological restoration and community-centered learning. Removing invasive species like Himalayan blackberry is critical for protecting biodiversity, as these plants can quickly dominate landscapes where they lack natural controls.

At the same time, these restoration events are about more than invasive. 足彩app哪个是正规的y create opportunities for young people to engage directly with environmental challenges and see themselves as active participants in solutions. 足彩app哪个是正规的se are also a chance to share more critical 足彩app哪个是正规的es with students talking about how plants species aren’t inherently bad, but rather what they need to survive and thrive is making it impossible for native species in this area and limits biodiversity.

For Greenwalt, the experience highlighted the real-world relevance of her studies. Watching middle school students connect hands-on work with ecological concepts reinforced how environmental science extends beyond the classroom and into community-based action.

A native trailing blackberry vine has a delicate stem and smaller leaves, distinguishing it from the thicker, invasive Himalayan blackberry nearby. This careful identification was a key part of the restoration process at Saint Edward State Park, ensuring that native species were preserved during clearing efforts.

Developing Connections to the Landscape

足彩app哪个是正规的 experience challenged students in ways that went beyond physical labor. One of the most important skills they developed was learning to distinguish between native and invasive species, a task that requires close observation and care. As one EAS student reflected: “I could never tell the difference between the native and the invasive blackberry before.”

Through this work, students built skills in ecological identification, teamwork, and problem-solving, while also developing a deeper connection to the landscape around them. And the work continues. Future EAS student groups will return to identify new areas for blackberry removal and begin the next phase of restoration, including planting native species in cleared spaces.

This ongoing partnership ensures that each group builds on the efforts of those before them, contributing to a healthier, more resilient ecosystem at Saint Edward State Park.

In addition to working with the EAS student, CoSEE and Washington State Parks host monthly restoration events open to ALL. Check out our website for more information.