The hardest work of the Silk Mill Dam project in East Jim Thorpe was completed in early September, which included the removal of several dams on the property that had outlived their usefulness.

“The project was supported through funding from Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Protection, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation totaling over $500,000,” explained Kristie Fach, director of Ecological Restoration for Wildlands Conservancy of Emmaus.

According to Jim Thorpe borough secretary and assistant borough manager Brook Klotz, at a recent meeting, Wildlands planned to have area school students help in planting new local plants. That part of the project was what eighth-grade students from L.B. Morris Elementary School in Jim Thorpe did during a field trip on Oct. 14.

“The eighth-grade had the opportunity to participate in an environmental stewardship project along Silk Mill Run, at the location of the old reservoirs,” explained L.B. Morris seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher Pam McElmoyle. “Students worked in conjunction with the Wildlands Conservancy to plant native plants and establish riparian buffers along the stream.”

This hands-on experience allowed students to learn about native plants, stream ecosystems, riparian habitats, and the importance of protecting our local waterways. It also tied in with the eighth-grade unit on dam removal. Students have been investigating the advantages and disadvantages of dam removal, as well as the ecological changes that occur over time after removal.

“This entire project has truly exceeded our expectations,” exclaimed Dennis DeMara, an adviser of the Carbon County Open Space Advisory Board. “With borough council approval, we took a liability and turned it into a tremendous conservation asset, saving borough taxpayers over one half million dollars.”

“This was a 5-year project of environmental planning, engineering, plus removal and reshaping of the stream channel to a natural state.”

Students walked from school to the Mauch Chunk Rod and Gun Club, where they had access to bathrooms and drinking water. The Germantown Grove Club provided snacks and drinks for students throughout the day.

Students also participated in an environmental education program presented by Susan Gallagher of the Carbon County Environmental Education Center. She focused on erosion basics and prevention, groundwater recharge, and interpreting topography maps relative to those issues. This portion of the program was sponsored by the Jim Thorpe Lions Club.

This stewardship project was coordinated by McElmoyle, a science teacher at L.B. Morris Elementary, Jim Thorpe Area School District.

“I appreciate all of the community support to help students understand what goes on in our town and how to help make them active, informed citizens in our community,” McElmoyle said. “The kids are our future and have to know that they will have a say in what our town looks like years down the road.”