June 30, 2008 - For two days in June, the Bridgeport Green Team broke a sweat repairing rock walls with the staff at Weir Farm National Historic Site. Under the supervision of National Park Service Horticulturalist, Greg Waters, the young students repaired and built sections of rock wall that are an important historical landmark and tradition at Weir Farm. Some of the stone walls still exist from the late 1800s. Before jumping into the hard work, students learned the history of the site from a NPS ranger. “This place was amazing! I learned about the people who actually created this park. I also learned that the rock that was there was made by big glaciers,” said Nancy Edison, a second year Green Team member.

 

In a unique partnership, the Bridgeport Green Team includes the Youth Conservation Corps from Oxford, CT. The two groups of students will be working together on a number of projects throughout the summer and the work days at Weir Farm was the first joint activity. 

 

“It was a really good experience working with students from Oxford High School, and I learned new things, such as how to make a stone wall. The park was green and an interesting place to be and work. It was a fun day that I enjoyed a lot!” commented Keyri Martinez, a leading student with the Green Team.

 

“Many youth in our state are lacking environmental education, no matter where they grow up, and the partnership with Oxford provides a unique opportunity to create working relationships among students from very different backgrounds. This summer, our Green Team program will offer a better understanding of the environment as well as the diversity surrounding our students,” said Richard Tiani, Executive Director at Bridgeport.

 

The Green Team students will continue working with the Oxford Youth Conservation Corps at Weir Farm. Other work days will involve trail repair, tree and shrub pruning, field edge restoration, and plant bed renovation. The work at Weir Farm is not only a learning experience, but is also valuable to the NPS staff. The work done by the students assists the park staff and greatly improves visitor health and safety at the site.