Student-planted garden promises benefit for AHS Annex building

Through the crevices of the old Annex Building and up rickety ladders, Austin High School students set forth on their newest project, which could carry on for the next decade.

Roughly 15 science students in various grades shuttled dozens of sedum plants to the roof of the building on Thursday in an effort to go green for the future. The goal is to create a green environment that reduces heating and cooling bills and traps sediment from the roof in the process. The hardy, drought-resistant plants could even extend the life of the roof.

Though students receive no accolades for transforming the roof into a green, sustainable environment, those undertaking the project realize the need for sustainability and awareness.

“We need more green projects to install that in the next generation,” said Caitlyn Bankes, a junior.

Under the direction of science teacher Josh Dumas, Bankes and several others began the project after school on Thursday. Dumas said the school has not previously done this sort of project.

Funding for the project became possible through local business grants from Jim’s Super Fresh, Mark Owens Residential Design and award money students earned from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.

 

The idea stems from an organization called the Youth Energy Summit, which Dumas said urges students to get involved in projects of their choices.

Even though the current students will only work directly with the project until they graduate, some are excited to see what the roof looks like years from now.

“By the time I come back, I want this whole roof filled,” said Cara Richardson, a junior. “I wish we would have done it sooner.”

Richardson and others complimented Dumas’ ingenuity to start the project and push students.

“Dumas is a great guy to do that,” Bankes said.

Yet Dumas is surprised at students’ willingness to go beyond what is expected.

“I’ve done a number of projects where I’ve just asked for students’ help, and they’ve come through,” he said.

Furthermore, the project accompanies the curriculum in some science classes, Dumas said. Students and Dumas can even watch the project evolve from across the street, in Dumas’ classroom.

But the roof isn’t the only benefactor of the project. Dumas said the goal is to one day fill the entire roof, which means the project could serve classes for the next 10 years or more.