Princeton Montessori middle school students learn about macro invertebrates and stream health with Sourland Conservancy staff. (Photo by Laurie Cleveland)

Princeton Montessori middle school students took a field trip to the Sourland Mountains recently where they were guided by the Sourland Conservancy staff. The morning began with a trip to the Foraging Forest in Hopewell Borough Park where students learned about climate change, edible plants, invasive species and more. Afterwards, they got their hands dirty by planting native trees and shrubs to provide critical habitat for birds, pollinators, and other native species.

The Sourland Conservancy Stewardship Director, Robert Aluck, taught the students about the benefit of forest restoration on stream health and they engaged in a stream monitoring activity where they identified macro invertebrates to assess the water quality. After lunch, the students traveled to the nearby Cedar Ridge Preserve where they participated in a hike led by historian, Ian Burrow. They calculated the age of trees and studied various aspects of the human history of the preserve.

Princeton Montessori middle school students get ready to hike the Cedar Ridge Preserve. (Photo by Sofia Fuentes)