Vandals destroy wildlife habitat

The vandals not only crushed our hearts, they damage our certified wildlife habitat! On Thursday, Sept. 27, between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., our habitat was destroyed. We arrived at school on Friday to find our bird bath broken in half on the other side of the pool fence, the hummingbird feeder emptied and floating in the pool, and the seed feeder with the bottom ripped off. Not only were we devastated, but the rest of the school was equally upset.

Our class planted a garden on our school campus. To get certified, we had to meet the components of a habitat as set by the National Wildlife Federation. These components are food, water, shelter and a place to raise young. For water, we placed a bird bath in the center of the garden; for food, we hung a seed feeder and a hummingbird feeder. We built bird houses to give shelter and a place to raise young for the native birds. We are extremely proud of our wildlife sanctuary.

These actions hurt our class, school and native animals. The vandals also hurt themselves; they are going down a path of bad choices that can lead to very serious consequences.

Wildlife sanctuaries are important to the native Davis wildlife. To create your own certified habitats, visit http://www.nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitat/UserAccount/SignIn?certificationtypeid=b0765847-a710-4746-9a0f-9d5201077d79&campaignid=WH12H1SCXX. If you are unable to cultivate such a habitat where you live, please consider making a donation to the Yolo Basin Foundation.

Sarah Roche’s third-grade class

Merryhill School, Davis