Outdoor Ed. & VWU: Save the Green Ash Trees

Designed to enhance our students’ social, developmental and educational growth as they prepare to move into upper school, Ms. Ward’s Creative Writing & Outdoor Education elective is based on Vygotsky’s theory (1978) that children learn through social interactions and by interacting with their environment. The value of an outdoor curriculum is its focus on growing students’ relationships, strengthening their interpersonal relationships with their peers, foster relationships with local resources and creates a positive relationship with the outdoors.

After reading a recent article about VWU professor Dr. Elizabeth Malcom, who is heading up a program to save green ash trees from emerald ash borers, Ms. Ward contacted the professor and arranged for our outdoor education students to visit the VWU campus and learn more about the project.

The emerald ash borer is an exotic beetle responsible for the destruction of tens of millions of ash trees in North America. Emerald ash borers burrow into trees and overtake them. One natural method Dr. Malcolm and her students found to save the trees is a biological intervention using wasps. Oobius agrili, a species of wasps, only eat emerald ash borer larvae. These wasps are no bigger than a thumbnail and do not sting humans.

Students were captivated by the interesting work and we are thankful for the opportunity to partner with VWU!