The MEco Outdoor Classroom has transformed into an extraordinary educational haven. The concept emerged when the clearing of a neighboring forest next to Mukilteo Elementary left students concerned about the displaced plants and animals. Moved by their feelings, the students created a presentation to voice their concerns and advocate for the affected wildlife.

Inspired by this enthusiasm, staff and students identified an underutilized area on campus. Mrs. Idso, along with the students of Mukilteo Elementary, spearheaded the initiative, enlisting the support of local families, Scout troops, conservation districts, and businesses. Today, the Outdoor Classroom flourishes as a vibrant ecosystem, enriching learning experiences daily. The MEco Outdoor Classroom continues to thrive and evolve, growing better all the time!

The Outdoor Classroom Story

In 2012, when a 10+ acre clear-cut took down the forest next to the playground, students at Mukilteo Elementary turned their disappointment into creating the MEco Outdoor Classroom, a 2-acre wildlife sanctuary where displaced wildlife could find habitat and where children could learn to become environmental citizens of the 21st century.

Where brambles and ivy once grew over every inch of the woods, there are native plantings and nature trails leading to a detention pond. Erosion control projects now cover the hillsides of left over fill dirt from recent construction. Nesting boxes house birds like black capped chickadees and flickers and conservation projects abound, giving students and organizations a chance to improve the ecosystem. There are even twelve rain barrels connected to the nearest building's roof to collect and redirect as irrigation for new plantings.