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Neenah/Menasha: Twin City Catholic Educational System recently received a $1500 environmental education grant from SCA for students’ collaborative project that focuses on middle- and high-school students working together to renew the natural habitat of Jane’s Wood, a two-acre wooded area located on the campus of the high school. By replacing invasive species with native plants, the group hopes to mitigate seasonal flooding. They surveyed the tract, investigated the path of water flow after rainfall, researched appropriate plant materials and have been working to remove invasive species in preparation for spring planting season. The funds will be used to purchase supplies for further study, tools, landscaping supplies and plant materials.

“The planned project will use bio-retention as a way to manage excess water from spring runoff and heavy rains at the south end of Jane’s Woods,” said Ann Hoernke, SMC Science Teacher. “In addition to renewing the habitat, the project will provide students many educational and service learning opportunities.” Hoernke worked with science teachers Michelle Jungbauer of SMC and Emilie Boots of Seton Catholic Middle School to develop the plan, and students from each teacher’s classes are involved in the implementation.

The grant was made available through SCAs environmental education grant program, which supports hands-on sustainability projects in K-12 schools and non-profit organizations in areas where the company has operations, including the Fox Cities. SCA is a global hygiene and forest products company that develops, produces and sells sustainable personal care products, tissue and forest products, including the global brands of Tork® and TENA®.

TCCES received one of 15 grants that was awarded nationwide for the 2014-15 school year. “SCA’s Environmental Education Grant program is an exciting way for us to share and grow the principle of sustainability within this community, which we operate under every day in manufacturing our Tork® tissue products,” said Jill Hiroskey, Technical Services Manager, SCA Midwest Operations. “We are pleased to support projects that encourage educators and foster a passion in students to learn and apply what it means to value and preserve the environment.”

Photo: SCA Representative Paul Johnson (far right) presents the grant check to SMC Science Teacher Ann Hoernke as students look on

Photo: Students from Seton Catholic Middle School gather after during a workday at Jane’s Woods

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