National Wildlife Federation Officially Certifies The Epstein School’s Sustainable Educational Garden and Pond as Wildlife Habitat

The Epstein School was recently awarded Certified Wildlife Habitat status by the National Wildlife Federation for its sustainable educational garden, teaching pond and waterfall, (*Leah’s Pond), consisting of: natural composting and mulching areas; watering sources such as the pond; dense shrubs, vegetation and nesting places to raise young; places for shelter/cover-birdhouses; food sources such as native plants, seeds, fruits, nuts, berries and nectar; and use of chemical-free fertilizers.

The Epstein School joins wildlife enthusiasts across the country who have been recognized for creating havens for neighborhood wildlife in their yards.  In order to earn this distinction by the National Wildlife Federation, The Epstein School had to demonstrate that it has provided the essential elements for healthy and sustainable wildlife habitats.

The Epstein School plants a variety of flowering and edible plants including pumpkins, basil, sunflowers, tomatoes, cucumbers, fennel and cotton.

Elementary School Principal Amalia Bilek stated, “We are excited and honored to have been recognized as a certified National Wildlife Habitat.  Our teachers and students take great pride in taking care of the earth and creating a sustainable wildlife habitat, where water flows, vegetation is abundant and animals may flourish and find sanctuary.”  As a result of achieving National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat status and because The Epstein School is also a Keep Sandy Springs/North Fulton Beautiful Evergreen School, Epstein’s Elementary Science Coordinator Donna Goodson, was recently invited to present an Evergreen North Fulton monthly meeting.

Ms. Goodson gave educators in attendance at the Evergreen North Fulton meeting a seed packet, as a good will gesture and to encourage others to “plant it forward.”  Keep Sandy Springs/North Fulton Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, a national environmental organization which promotes waste reduction, community beautification and conservation.

Approximately 30 North Fulton Educators were present at the meeting, where Ms. Goodson spoke and presented a PowerPoint that detailed what environmental and scientific educational activities Epstein students engage-in while in the garden from composting, to planting and collecting grey water and recycling. Ms. Goodson emphasized the dedication of faculty, administration and volunteers on making this program successful and viable from one year to the next.

*Leah’s Pond is dedicated in loving memory of Epstein graduate Laura Rae Rosenthal z”l who died tragically in a car accident.

To learn more about The Epstein School, a nationally-recognized
independent school visit the website: www.epsteinatlanta.org.