On Wednesday afternoon in the PES Library, a group of 3 teachers, custodians, school board members, PTO members, met with Marilyn Wyzga of the NH Fish and Game Department for an initial presentation on Project Home PES.
During the two-hour meeting Ms. Wyzga gave an overview of the program and process of developing and implementing a habitat enhancement plan. She then led the group in a visioning exercise that helped us imagine the possibilities for improving the PES schoolyard as a richer place for wildlife, children, and adults. The group also looked at examples of what other New England Schools have done as part of Project Home.
PES is fortunate to be sited in a beautiful place. The school is surrounded by a maturing second-growth pine forest. We have a nature trail behind the school that borders a wetland. We are close to the Suncook River and Whites Pond. And our campus is just a quarter mile from the historic town center.
Group members had several ideas: an outdoor classroom with benches and plantings in the front circle; letting part of the field behind the school revert to a meadow; an improved nature trail in the rear of the school; and even a little pond for amphibians.
The group, Project Home PES, will meet again in January. At the next meeting we will look at maps of the property, discuss priorities, and start to gather the human and economic resources for a PES habitat enhancement.
Any community member that is interested in joining the effort should contact PES Principal Doug Kilmister.