MARTINSVILLE

Boy Scout Troop 213, East Middle School students and East Middle School teacher Doug Reynolds have been working to turn a small, grassy courtyard into something the school can use.

Reynolds has attained grants and volunteer work to create a new outdoor learning environment for East Middle School, which he said will primarily be used to house plant life and educate students.

“The outdoor learning environment’s purpose is to create an environment that attracts wildlife of Indiana and also teaches plant identification and management,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds started this project last September by applying for some grants from McDonalds and Vectren. Then Reynolds teamed up with Tina Trusty and Master Gardeners. Together they designed the courtyard at East Middle School for the outdoor learning environment.

Reynolds said he hopes to get the ground ready for planting by October. He said he has spent several Saturdays digging through the ground in the courtyard to create stone pathways through the outdoor learning environment.

Previously, the grass courtyard had been unused, Reynolds said.

“The students of East Middle School and Troop 213 have helped in the landscaping of this courtyard and have turned this into a learning experience for everyone involved,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds said the courtyard was made possible by the time and donations of Bender Lumber Company, Kim and Tina Trusty, McDonalds, Morgan County Hospital and Medical Center, Old Castle Building Products, Tree Hugger’s Environmental Club members, the students of East Middle School and Boy Scout Troop 213.

The East Middle School outdoor learning environment is currently accepting donations. For more information, please contact Reynolds at (765) 342-6675, ext. 2056.