Sawgrass Springs Middle School was opened in 1996 as an Environmental Science Magnet School. The staff felt a responsibility to provide an education that would go beyond the walls of the classroom and take students outdoors into the Florida environment. Community Business Partners, The Parent Teacher Association, The City of Coral Springs, Broward County, and Broward School District have supported our environmental education program since its inception. In 1999, our environmentally sound, outdoor classroom pavilion and recycled rubber walkway was completed with funds from Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. and a grant from Broward Beautiful. The entire pavilion is constructed with recycled materials consistent with our school-wide recycling program. Wheelabrator Technologies sponsors a yearly Environmental Symposium, and offers student participants scholarships to Fisk College. Broward Beautiful awarded a second grant to enhance our endeavors. In 2002, a butterfly garden was planted in the shape of a butterfly. The garden incurred major damage during the hurricane season of 2005. In 2006, work began to redesign this butterfly garden by planting native vegetation known for attracting butterflies. We seek to provide food, shelter, and a safe haven for their reproduction. Trellises and hand painted butterfly stepping-stones were also installed. The wings, outlined with border bricks displaying vocabulary words, teach about the life cycle of a butterfly and their roll in the environment. Butterfly World, located at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, Florida serves as an educational resource.

Sawgrass Springs Middle School became concerned about the plight of the threatened Gopher Tortoise in 2002 and reacted by building a preserve on campus to aid in the preservation of four Gopher Tortoise testing positive for (URTD) Upper Respiratory Tract Disease. Florida Fisheries and Wildlife Commission approved and issued necessary permits. A committee of stakeholders, including the after school "Critter Club" has been established for the continuing education needed to provide care and maintenance of the tortoises and their habitat. Chip, Speedy, Sunset and Starz are thriving in their home at SSMS. A team of four students won national recognition from the U.S. Army for an e-Cybermission project on Gopher Tortoises. The U.S. Army awarded a savings bond in the amount of $8,000 to each of the students for their conservation efforts. The National Wildlife Federation certified the preserve as an official "Schoolyard Habitat" in the fall of 2006.

In 2004, construction began on a wetland pond housing native species of water plants and aquatic animals. This feature attracts water birds and insects to the campus. South Florida Water Management District donated $1,000 toward this habitat and has been a viable resource for us as well.

In the spring of 2005, the idea of constructing a garden center sprouted to ensure the propagation and planting of native plant species on our campus to replace those lost to storms while enhancing the campus environment. A canopy protects delicate seedlings and shade loving plants. Vegetables that supplement the diet of the Gopher Tortoise are going to be grown. The onsite garden center provides a refuge for animals that find their way onto our property from the Florida Everglades, yards away.

The Environmental Learning Complex (ELC) comprised of an Outdoor Classroom, Butterfly Garden, Gopher Tortoise Preserve, Wetland Pond, and Garden Center; impacts our entire student body of 1,377 students and staff of over 100. Our outside field approach to learning reinforces the State of Florida Benchmarks and Florida Comprehensive Assessment Testing (FCAT) as well as our school improvement plan goals. The school board of Broward County's character traits of citizenship, cooperation, honesty, kindness, responsibility, tolerance, self-respect, and respect for others and the environment are easily demonstrated and reinforced through working outside in the Environmental Learning Complex. This complex will last beyond our time here at the school. It will stand as a testament to those that came before, who cared enough to protect our delicate ecosystems, and leave a legacy for the future.

PARTNER STATEMENT

Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) is proud to align itself with Sawgrass Springs Middle School's Environmental Learning Complex (ELC).  The ELC's interdisciplinary approach to solving real-world environmental issues embodies the "solutions through science" philosophy embraced by HSWRI.  We applaud Sawgrass Spring's commitment to the conservation of threatened and endangered species and their efforts to serve as a model for other schools and the community.