Many schools throughout the region possess underutilized natural areas that are often prime opportunities for ecological restorationists. Often degraded, these sites could include wetland, upland, and riparian areas that could be restored to benefit fish, wildlife, pollinators, and native plant communities. In addition to these benefits, these projects are an excellent opportunity to create outdoor classrooms and living laboratories that can be utilized frequently by teachers and students and built into curriculum to cover lessons and help to connect the next generation to the natural world and the value of ecological restoration. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Vermont implements schoolyard habitat projects for the benefit of fish and wildlife and to connect people with nature. This presentation will discuss how to identify sites, create a team, and implement projects while engaging students in real restoration work. Several case studies will be presented to illustrate this process.

Ryan Crehan is a Biologist and Professional Wetland Scientist with the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, a program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Partners Program is a voluntary, citizen and community-based fish and wildlife habitat restoration effort in which willing landowners are provided technical and financial assistance to conserve, restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat on their property. His work focuses largely on the assessment, design, permitting, and implementation of restoration projects that strive to restore the lost functions and values of wetlands. He received his Bachelor's degree from Prescott College in Arizona and his M.S. from the University of Vermont where he examined using constructed wetlands to treat wastewater. Prior to coming to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ryan worked for the State of Vermont and the private sector on wetland-related projects.