Over the past year, Mill Run Elementary in Ashburn, VA, partnered with The Piedmont Environmental Council for a pilot project to create a naturally landscaped outdoor classroom and enhance the surrounding habitat.

The enhancements completed during the Mill Run Elementary outdoor project included a native tree area, native tree rescue, installation of additional native plants in the front school beds, sapling planting and the expanded outdoor classroom area. The changes encompass approximately one acre of the school property. More than 100 native trees and over 200 native shrubs and perennials will help reduce stormwater runoff, filter pollutants and provide food and habitat for pollinators.

On October 14th, 2015 the classroom was officially unvieled. During the celebration event, there was a series of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities for families to experience together.

PEC was the developer, manager and grant administrator in the project, and also sought additional organizations, partnerships and expertise to support the development, the design and to provide in-kind contributions

Additional contributors to the pilot project include: Dominion, United Airlines, Casey Trees, Loudoun County Stormwater Services, Home Depot, AOL, Heritage Landscaping Services, Loudoun Stewardship Alliance, Fairfax Releaf, Van Metre, Merritt Properties, South Riding Nurseries, Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund (License Plate program), Earthday at Loudoun Family Festival, and Christina Lewandowski.