The City Manager of Ringgold, Mr. Dan Wright, invited Heritage High students and teachers to get involved with a storm water Green Infrastructure Project on South Depot Street near the Water Plant Facility and along the Trail of Tears Nature Trail. Students from Mrs. Shearer's Agriculture class, Mr. Budd's Environmental Science class and Mrs. Hayen's AP Environmental Science classes rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Students worked alongside leaders from Limestone Valley, a nonprofit organization currently working to improve the South Chickamauga Creek, to complete the project.
Students worked on a rain garden installation and planted vegetation to minimize erosion. One leader commented to Mrs. Hayen, "Your kids and those of the other teachers were wonderful. They were interested, engaged, hardworking and their attitudes were so refreshing." Mr. Budds commented that his freshmen students were grateful for the opportunity to "do science" outside of the classroom. Mrs. Hayen said, "it doesn't get more real-world than this."