DURHAM, N.H. - November 17, 2009 - Conservation land and an outdoor environmental classroom will once again be accessible to students from Oyster River High School, thanks to the efforts of a student organization. PSNH announced that the school's Student Senate has earned a $700 Environmental Community Grant which will fund the rebuilding a wooden foot bridge.
The bridge provides access from the high school to the Oyster River Watershed, where trails and the environmental classroom are located. "Flooding destroyed a footbridge that provided access from the school to conservation land used by the biology and environmental science classes," said faculty advisor Brian Zotolli. "That event prompted students to organize a project."
"Many student ideas were used in the design of the project," said Wood Shop Teacher Mike Troy. According to Troy, the student senate organized the project, which incorporated the students' scientific studies and integrated construction into the curriculum.
"The PSNH grant provided us with the resources to construct the bridge and the students, teachers and the community will all benefit having access to this beautiful space," said student Prerana Nanda, Co-Moderator of the Oyster River Student Senate.
"PSNH is proud to support Oyster River High School and the student involvement in environmental awareness through this hands-on project." said Kathleen Lewis, PSNH Community Relations Manager. "We are excited about the student participation in a project that supports environmental education. Their involvement and enthusiasm is impressive"
Established in 1999, PSNH's Environmental Community Grant Program provides support to nonprofit organizations, within the company's service territory, that foster environmental preservation, improvement or education. Grants are awarded each spring and fall. The deadlines for submitting grants are April 15th and October 15th.
Oyster River High School is a public secondary educational institution serving the town of Durham, Lee and Madbury New Hampshire.
A high-resolution photo of the Student Senate is available at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/psnh/4115123753/