“Mt. Park School saved 7 acres of the rainforest!”

Rainforest Rock Creations

Spinning Tops

The students at Mountain Park Elementary School in Berkeley Heights, NJ, are learning more than just a new language in their Spanish class – they’re also learning about the importance of the rainforest and taking action to protect it. Mariann Tierney’s third, fourth, and fifth grade students were able to raise $700 to save seven acres of rainforest.

As part of a unit she developed for her Spanish classes, Tierney’s students studied the people, animals, and plants that call tropical rainforests home. “Teaching my students about the rainforest (in Spanish) while making them aware of how important it is, how it is being destroyed, and what we can do to help has been something that I have been working on for a long time,” Tierney said.

Concerned by the rates at which these forests are destroyed, the students decided to get involved. “After searching online and finding many wonderful rainforest organizations, we decided to raise money for Rainforest Trust,” said Tierney. “We were impressed that 95% of the funding goes directly to conservation. The stories from other students all over the country making a difference for the rainforest were a great inspiration, too!”

To raise money, the students created rainforest animal rock creations (pictured) and bracelets in their Spanish class, then sold them to their family and friends. They also sold spinning tops crafted from old CDs and plastic bottle caps they collected.

The news about saving the rainforest soon spread throughout the school when the Mountain Park Student Council took up the cause. Under the direction of Marilyn Merrill, the school librarian, the Council participated by hanging posters, selling bookmarks, and collecting donations in classrooms.

The school’s efforts culminated in a PTO-sponsored performance by Andes Manta, a group of professional musicians from the Ecuadorian Andes Mountains.

“I learned that we need to protect it so life on Earth can continue. Hurting the rain forest can be a big problem for the ecosystem and for people and animals,” said Emilia, one of Tierney’s students. Alexander, another student, added, “I hope that some of those companies [destroying the rainforest] will use their noggins before they cut down more trees!”

After this successful fundraising experience, some students have been inspired to do even more. Several of Tierney’s students said they plan to continue fundraising on their own. “I’m going to make a lemonade stand and donate the money to protect more rainforest acres,” said Katherina.