District Digest News Stories

Students install wood duck boxes at Cheatham Lake

Published Sept. 29, 2017
Students from Montgomery Center High School's Agriculture Academy install a wood duck box at Cheatham Lake in Ashland City, Tenn., Sept. 29, 2017 as part of National Public Lands Day activities. (USACE photo by Park Ranger Dean Austin)

Students from Montgomery Center High School's Agriculture Academy install a wood duck box at Cheatham Lake in Ashland City, Tenn., Sept. 29, 2017 as part of National Public Lands Day activities.

Students from Montgomery Center High School's Agriculture Academy pose with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District park rangers at Cheatham Lake in Ashland City, Tenn., Sept. 29, 2017.  They installed wood duck boxes as part of National Public Lands Day activities. (USACE photo by Park Ranger Dean Austin)

Students from Montgomery Center High School's Agriculture Academy pose with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District park rangers at Cheatham Lake in Ashland City, Tenn., Sept. 29, 2017. They installed wood duck boxes as part of National Public Lands Day activities.

ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 29, 2017) – Students at Montgomery Center High School’s Agriculture Academy installed wood duck boxes at Cheatham Lake today, a National Public Lands Day activity.

The lake’s park rangers partnered with Teacher Danny Boner and his students, who worked to build and install the wood duck boxes on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property to boost wood duck populations and improve the habitat.   

“Partnerships like this one are made possible because of the support of schools and organizations in the local community, and citizens who want to help,” said Tadd Potter, Cheatham Lake resource manager.

The Cheatham Lake Corps of Engineers Park Ranger staff helped by providing expertise, and materials, but the true stars of the day were the students for their participation and all of their hard work.

“This is a great partnership that we intend to enhance each year.  Whether its wood duck boxes, bulletin boards, or planting native species trees, Mr. Boner and his students are excited to keep helping their local community,” said Trey Church, conservation biologist.

The students, MCHS staff, Cheatham Lake park ranger staff, and the local community will benefit greatly from today’s event.  Getting the community involved in wildlife and environmental initiatives benefits Cheatham Lake as a whole. 

“We’re all thankful for the beautiful wood duck boxes these students worked so hard to make, and for their work that not only made a difference, but ensured this year’s National Public Lands Day event would be one to remember,” Church said.

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