They’re Doing Good Work--Bank on It

Twice a month, fourth-graders at Bryant Ranch Elementary School suit up in orange shirts, jeans and boots and march down to the Santa Ana River to do battle.

With saws, clippers and shovels, the pint-sized ranks rip and pull at their sworn enemy: the non-indigenous Arundo donax.

“We hate Arundo,” said Anthony Carillo, 9, piercing a thick root with the tip of his shovel. “It kills the other plants because it takes up a bunch of room and all their water.”

Nearly 70 fourth-graders have adopted a stretch of the river near Gypsum Canyon Road, clearing out the bamboo-like plants and establishing rock-lined trails along the banks so others can enjoy the restored habitat.

The teachers, students and at least 10 parent volunteers spend about two hours each trip tearing out Arundo. They are the only school group that regularly helps with the countywide effort to remove the invasive plant, said Tom Connelie, manager of county public works operations.

Team teachers Liz Stumpf and Donelda Warhurst started their “Once Upon a River” project four years ago and are surprised at the progress their students have made.

“When we started, you couldn’t walk through here at all; it was solid Arundo,” said Warhurst, carrying a compass, camera, clippers, binoculars and an emergency-supply pack strapped around her waist. “All the native plants have come back since we’ve been coming down here, and we’ve seen more birds.”

Students also learn to use compasses, identify insects and conduct water purification experiments, Stumpf said. This year, she said, they are designing a tour of the area so they can sponsor docent walks for other Bryant Ranch classes.

“I think it’s important that the kids feel they have some sort of power to make a difference,” she said. “Even the kids who have a hard time staying in their seat come down here and really focus and do wonderful. I’m hoping that by learning respect for things out here, they’ll grow up to be adults with respect for the environment.”