The Izaak Walton League of America Christiansburg/Montgomery Chapter (IWLA) has been in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) since 2010. This partnership allows for a controlled public use as students are always accompanied by teachers and chaperones, and their use is during school hours. The Den Hill Road location is nearly at the center of Montgomery County and none of the 20 schools has more than a 30-minute drive to the park.
MCPS students have participated in numerous projects at IWLA. From building a gazebo and benches to cleaning and painting the upper floor of the clubhouse, our students have learned while serving others. The newest project will bring students from Environmental Science classes out to inventory plants that support pollinators and to design and plant areas to expand this important resource within the park. This latest project exemplifies the IWLA mission to conserve, maintain, protect, and restore the soil, forest, water, and other natural resources.
Another part of the IWLA mission is to take a common-sense approach toward protecting our country’s natural heritage. To this end, MCPS, along with local governing entities, hosts fall and spring Stormwater Days at the outdoor classroom. These days are designed to give every 6th grade student an opportunity to learn about the importance of managing stormwater and the impacts of stormwater on local resources. Not only do these annual events reach a large population demographic, but they also introduce students to the many and varied local professional careers associated with municipal and natural resource management.
The IWLA partnership is highly valued by MCPS and the families associated with our students. The outdoor classroom visit is a memorable experience with live trout, underground and surface streams, large fields, and ponds offering a variety of learning experiences. Student use of the outdoor classroom would be severely limited by the cost of transportation. Annual field trips to the park costs about $900 and typically includes about 1000 students. IWLA funds the majority of these trips. MCPS keeps records of all trip expenses.