Meet Maine East Ecology Club Moderator and Environmental Science Teacher: Shelby riha! May Go Green Park Ridge Change Maker!

Do you see An important connection with the role you play at Maine East and our future on this planet?  Would you like others in our community to know more about your efforts?  

Shelby Riha is working hard to not only help her students understand the complex interplay between human and ecological systems, but also evaluate claims and evidence about the economic, environmental, and human health impacts of our actions. 
 
She said “I am lucky to have many opportunities on campus to acquaint students with the natural world.  We are currently collaborating with the special education department and students to maintain a vegetable garden that supplies our salsa-making competition in the Fall.  We learn about the storm water management and biodiversity benefits of native prairie plants in our butterfly garden outside the science wing and are working on getting a grant to put up an educational sign."

Shelby and her class work in the oak savanna to measure carbon sequestration of the trees, make observations about species interactions, and learn about invasive species.  They also have seasonal work days to remove European buckthorn, maintain a path, and complete an outdoor classroom space by the pond in the oak savanna. 
 
The Maine East students work in groups to do service-learning projects each year so they are always looking for ways to collaborate with community partners on local ecological or environmental issues. 
 
Feel free to contact Shelby with ideas!  They are also looking to start a Friends of the Maine East Nature Spaces digital newsletter. Send an email to be added to their list:  [email protected]

Here is a link to their classroom blog