Map of Project RESCUE Arboretum

Click on the thumbnail to see a full scale image.

”Project RESCUE - Riddle Elementary Students Continually Upgrading the Environment" is the name picked to describe the project that will eventually involve all students from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade.  To help fund the project, Mr. Ghere and Mrs. Brachbill applied for and received a $1,000 grant funded by the Lumpkin Foundation and administered by the Douglas-Hart Nature Center and a grant for $500 from the Wal-Mart Foundation.  They also received technical equipment through the Eastern Illinois and Southern Illinois University--Edwardsville Project TEAMS and the STAR Project grants.

Fifth grade students have worked hard to clear the area of rocks, branches, and debris.  They have planted 32 trees, and more trees will be planted in the fall of 2006.  Students use a GPS to mark the location of each tree, test the surrounding soil with scientific probes, and monitor the growth of each tree.  They graph the data on computers, and use digital cameras to photograph the trees and the area for the website.

Students, with the help of family and friends, have built bluebird boxes and wren houses which have contributed to an environment that has developed students' awareness and appreciation of nature.

During the fall of 2005, students planted a butterfly garden and have added more plants that spring.  Future plans include the assistance of parent volunteers and people from the community to help in the development of a walking trail around the inside perimeter of the area, as well as the establishment of plant beds for each grade.

Mrs. Brachbill and Mr. Ghere have also developed a website:
Mattoon’s Flora Online Project

The link to this website can be found on
www.riddletrees.com

This page provides a resource to identify and develop leaf collections from local trees near Riddle Elementary School.  Eventually every tree included on this website will be planted, and additional varieties will be added to the arboretum and the website.