Mt Healthy High School National Honor Society

"We are a team of community volunteers working to restore the wetland habitat at Mount Healthy's Forest Ave Wetland Park. Our leadership includes naturalists, biology specialists, and a consulting arborist" The Mt. Healthy National Honor Society is a group of high school students who have met certain GPA requirements and exhibit scholarship, service, leadership, and character inside and outside of the classroom. NHS partners with this environmental group on projects throughout the school year.

The Forest Avenue Wetland Park in Mt. Healthy is a rare ecological gem, housing all five types of wetlands in a single location. Unfortunately, this vital natural space has faced ongoing threats from invasive plant species, which disrupt native ecosystems and jeopardize the park's biodiversity. Recognizing the importance of preserving this unique environment, a dedicated group of local volunteers came together to form the Forest Avenue Wetland Park Renewal Project. This grassroots effort emerged out of necessity when the city, with its small and under-resourced Parks and Recreation Department, was unable to fully address the growing ecological issues at the park. The group petitioned the city for permission to lead sustainability efforts, focusing on the removal and containment of invasive species to protect the wetland's fragile ecosystem. Despite their passion and dedication, the group operates with limited tools and resources, which constrains the number of volunteers they can accommodate and the extent of their conservation work. Mt. Healthy High School's National Honor Society (NHS) saw an opportunity to align its commitment to service, leadership, character, and scholarship with the goals of the Renewal Project. NHS students began assisting on volunteer Saturdays, contributing their time and energy to help the park thrive. However, the need for greater community involvement and enhanced resources remains critical. With the support of this grant, the collaboration could expand beyond NHS students, engaging the broader student body and strengthening the sustainability of this important environmental effort.