Chesterfield Soil and Water

team up to improve wildlife habitat

CHESTERFIELD - The Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Chesterfield Soil and Water Conservation District is teaming up with the Connie Maxwell Children's Home to provide habitat for wildlife.

The first step in this multi-faceted project was a day for building birdhouses Feb. 23. District Conservationist Charles Babb started the day with a short lecture about wildlife habitat. After answering questions from the residents and explaining that birdhouses were only one component of a well rounded habitat, the students got to work building and decorating the houses. After several hours, 7 birdhouses and two painted t-shirts later, the residents deemed the houses complete and let them dry.

The students will spend the coming week evaluating the property to decide where to place the houses.

Adam's Campus Director Vernelle Swinton is excited about the project.

"I am excited to see the children involved not only in a community focused project, but one that will also develop civic minded responsibility towards the natural environment we all share. Research has proven that when kids learn to care for nature they are less apt to develop socially inappropriate behaviors, instead they are prone to be socially and emotionally well balanced," said Swinton.

NRCS technician Sue Griggs is thankful to several area businesses that helped make this a community project. Chesterfield Building Supply owners Tommy and Trey Campbell donated the lumber and hardware, and Big Goats Studio donated the decorating materials.

Plans for the rest of the property include a wildflower area, wildlife food plot, garden area and sunflower strip.

For more information on the project, please contact the NRCS office 843-623-2788 x 106. For more information on the Connie Maxwell Children's Home--Adam's Campus, please call 843-623-5177.