Valley View Story Book Nature Trail project unveiled on Thursday

Manuel Mesa, Jason Dotson and Lisa Fields (left to right) unveil the Storybook Nature Trail.

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Students at Valley View Elementary School let out a cheer on Thursday at the unveiling of the school’s Storybook Nature Trail project. The project was organized by the Campbell Culture Coalition (The C3) and funded by the Campbell Enhancement Fund and East Tennessee Foundation, along with Valley View’s Parent and Teacher Organization (PTO).

Community leaders gathered with K-5 students at the back of the school to “inaugurate and seed” the trail. Campbell County Vice Mayor Randy Brown spoke briefly, congratulating the students on their “Story Book” nature trail.

TOP PHOTO: Valley View Elementary School students enjoyed and learned during Thursday’s unveiling of the school’s Storybook Nature Trail project.

WLAF’s Charlie Hutson shares his photo gallery HERE.

“This is an innovative and creative project that will be enjoyed by many students for many years to come,” Campbell County Vice Mayor Randy Brown (blue sweater) said.

Kids lined up to receive packets of wildflower seeds to sow along the trail.

The project “connects reading and nature” using trail markers, libraries, and books chosen by students, according to Campbell Culture Coalition Executive Director Manuel Mesa, one of the organizers for the project.

April Paul, assistant principal-left, and teacher Brittany Vann (right) with students on this special day.

“This is a culmination of children, reading, libraries and our environment, and this project brings them all together,” Mesa said.

The festive moment was made even more special because this week is Read Across America Week and many students were dressed as their favorite book characters on Thursday.

Students received flower seeds to throw out along the trail.

Ten outdoor signs were placed along the nature walk that exists behind Valley View Elementary School and the Nature Trail also had a lot of maintenance done on it by BSA Troop 310 and Cub Scout Pack 108. Scouts were instrumental in the project, as was the Valley View Parent and Teacher Organization.

The signs feature books that the students selected.

Manuel Mesa explains to students what to do with the seeds.

Several books were read aloud to each grade and the students then voted on the book they wanted to be represented on their nature trail.

According to Mesa, the C3 purchased five copies of each selected book. A copy will be available at the school library and one copy of each will be available at the four county libraries for the general publics’ easy access.

It’s time to throw. So let’s go. Students begin scattering their flower seeds.

“This project connects our public libraries, and our children with the environmental world right outside their doors. We want to encourage the kids to get out in nature and to read,” Mesa said to the students.

Valley View Principal Jason Dotson said the whole school was excited about the project and that the school was “blessed to have the nature trail” and “blessed to have the support for the project.”

Troop 310 Boy Scouts of America and Cub Scout Pack 108 helped erect the signs and performed trail maintenance.

“We’re excited about this wonderful project that the C3 has brought to our school. We are so thankful to our PTO and to the Scouts and all who helped make this happen,” Dotson said.

The signs that are erected along the nature trail feature a short passage and a picture from each book. Each sign has a QR code that can be scanned for information.

Kyra Herrin (right) with her class.

“This is another way to integrate literacy and the outdoors into our school and that’s a big positive for the students,” Dotson said.

The selected books are:

Pre-K – “Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you See?” By Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle

K – “The Leaf Thief” By Alice Hemming

1st Grade – “The Ten Good Things About Barney” By Judith Viorst

2nd Grade – “Stellalulna” By Janell Cannon

3rd Grade – “Owl Moon” By Janet Yolen

4th Grade – “Brother Eagle, Sister Sky” By Susan Jeffers

5th Grade – “Henry’s Freedom Box” By Ellen Levine

School staff and organizers selected three additional books, and all the books have a nature or environmental theme. The books selected by staff are: “When I was Young in the Mountains” By Cynthia Ryiant/ “Papi’s Gift” By Karen Stanton/ “Mountain Chef: How One Man Lost…” By Annette Bay Pimentel.

Valley View Elementary School students listened with interest about the school’s latest project.

The project is sponsored by the Campbell Culture Coalition, and supported/funded by Campbell Enhancement Fund, East Tennessee Foundation, as well as the Valley View Parent Teacher Organization. Troop 310 Boy Scouts of America and Cub Scout Pack 108 helped erect the signs and performed trail maintenance. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/08/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)