8 Ways to Be River-Friendly This Earth Day

Though our positive impact on Stuart’s 55-acre campus is a great achievement, our work doesn’t stop here. We’re sharing 8 ways you can bring that same river-friendly spirit to your own home this Earth Day:

1. Become a Native Plant Detective

Before you head to the garden center, do some reconnaissance on which plants belong in our local soil. Our third grade researchers held a Great Native Plant Debate to study New Jersey native species and their specific roles in the ecosystem. Every plant studied has been sown here in Stuart’s Teaching Garden.​

• Earth Day Tip: Research one native plant and one invasive species in your area before planting your garden.
• Why It Matters: Native plants are perfectly adapted to our climate and provide the necessary food and shelter for local wildlife to thrive.

2. Ditch the Chemicals

We officially designated our Teaching Garden as a Pesticide-Free Zone (PFZ) to ensure a safe environment for all visitors, big and small. This action protects our native pollinators, is safer for young children, and prevents harmful runoff from entering our campus stream.

• Earth Day Tip: Commit to keeping at least one section of your yard free of synthetic pesticides.
• Why It Matters: Eliminating pesticides protects the health of beneficial insects and prevents toxic chemicals from leaching into the groundwater.

3. Calculate Your Water Footprint

Our second grade environmentalists used a Water Footprint Calculator to see how much water their families use for daily tasks. After modeling how water moves through the Stony Brook-Millstone River Watershed and studying the impact of their personal water use on broader systems, they learned that every drop saved at home helps the entire region.

• Earth Day Tip: Take the online Water Footprint Calculator quiz to see where your household can cut back.
• Why It Matters: Conservation starts with awareness, and reducing your water footprint ensures there is enough clean water for both people and the environment.

4. Give Birds a Room of Their Own

Habitat loss is a major challenge for local birds, so we took action by installing species-specific Warbler Houses in Friendship Forest and outside of the Ropes Course trail. These boxes are now monitored by our Lower School STEM after school program to see how they support the local bird population.

• Earth Day Tip: Install a bird box or nesting platform tailored to a specific local species.
• Why It Matters: Providing secure nesting spots helps stabilize bird populations that have been displaced by development and deforestation.

5. Get Your Hands Dirty (Literally)

True environmental stewardship is a "boots in the stream" endeavor, as our students proved during our Campus & Stream Cleanup with the Watershed Institute. As part of our spring Goal 3 Day, students in grades K-4 worked together to remove debris from our natural areas.

• Earth Day Tip: Grab a pair of gloves and spend 30 minutes picking up litter near a local waterway or storm drain.
• Why It Matters: Removing trash prevents physical hazards for wildlife and keeps microplastics from breaking down into our drinking water sources.

6. Test Your Soil Before You Plant

Our AP Environmental Science students performed on-campus soil testing in Stuart’s garden spaces before planting season. By assessing soil chemistry and percolation, they were able to make professional-grade recommendations based on the actual nutrients available in the dirt.

• Earth Day Tip: Use a home soil test kit to check the pH and nutrient levels of your garden.
• Why It Matters: Knowing your soil type helps you choose the right plant for the right place and prevents the over-application of fertilizers, which can affect the health of our waterways.

7. Become a Stream Watcher

Sixth graders conduct a formal creek study as part of their exploration of water as a natural resource, making observations, gathering data, and drawing conclusions about the watershed around them. Our tenth grade Chemistry in the Community students spend the year monitoring our campus creek for pH, nitrates, and dissolved oxygen. They also study "macros" (macroinvertebrates) to catalog the living organisms that serve as biological indicators of water quality.

• Earth Day Tip: Visit a local stream and observe the water clarity and the variety of life beneath the rocks. You can also contribute data as a citizen scientist through the Watershed Institute's StreamWatch Program.
• Why It Matters: Regular monitoring allows communities to catch pollution issues early and track the long-term health of our aquatic ecosystems.

8. Choose Reusable Over Single-Use

To reduce plastic waste and promote hydration, Stuart maintains water bottle refilling stations across the campus. These stations serve as a daily reminder of the Works of Water lessons our Lower School scientists learn in the classroom.

• Earth Day Tip: Switch to a high-quality reusable water bottle to eliminate the need for single-use plastics.
• Why It Matters: Reducing plastic consumption at the source is an effective way to keep our oceans and rivers clean for future generations.

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