The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded the regional 2013 President’s Environmental Youth Award to twenty-one students from St. Mary Episcopal School’s Beyond the Classroom group in north Edmond, Okla. and their sponsor Donna Mackiewicz for their, “Where Have All the Flowers and Birds Gone,” project.

“These students are truly making a difference and we thank them for their part in making the world more sustainable,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “It is amazing to see such young pioneers take action in improving the world around them.”

The students’ project focused on revitalizing three acres of barren property leveled by the local school district. The students started their project by counter-acting local Okla. red dust from blowing everywhere by planting seeds. They conducted fund raisers to buy then plant spearmint, kale, romaine, lettuce, spinach and a number of other seeds to bring life back to the barren property. They eventually started their own leaning garden enhancing their knowledge of natural resources and promoting environmental action. The students built bird boxes that offered nesting habitats for migratory birds.

The President's Environmental Youth Awards program is an annual contest sponsored by EPA to honor creative environmental projects developed and implemented by K-12 students. The winning project was chosen from entries submitted by students in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas