Work continues on habitat restoration at W.E. Putnam Middle School

Birmingham Audubon is restoring a bird habitat and nature trail behind W.E. Putnam Middle School in the Eastwood neighborhood, providing students with outdoor learning.

And the habitat — to be called the Audubon-Datnow Forest Preserve — recently took another step forward.

Over the summer, the nonprofit unveiled a new site plan from LMO Partners for Putnam Principal Terrell Brown and Birmingham Audubon member Claire Datnow, according to Birmingham Audubon spokesperson Sarah Randolph. While a teacher at Putnam in the 1990s, Claire Datnow established the Panther Path Nature Trail.

In March, Birmingham Audubon hired ornithologist Dr. Lianne Koczur as its science and conservation director, and she’ll oversee the project, Randolph said.

The plan will cost more than $20,000 and take about three years. Phases include trail improvements and fencing; continued removal of invasive plants, such as Chinese privet; and the installation of native plants.

For example, Birmingham Audubon will create a prairie or meadow area by installing about 1,500 native plants from Cohn Flowers native plant nursery.

The nonprofit also seeks someone to donate or sponsor a Chimney Swift tower and some signage, according to Randolph.

The preserve at Putnam provides habitat for local and migratory birds, such as owls, hawks, warblers and a climate-endangered songbird called the brown-headed nuthatch, according to Birmingham Audubon.

And outside activities are critical for children, according to School Principal Terrell Brown.

“This is something that’s needed at schools, so students can go outside and learn about nature,” he told Iron City Ink in January.

Jones Valley Teaching Farm, which maintains a teaching farm and food-based learning program at Putnam, and Desert Island Supply Company have assisted in the project. 

There’s a need for volunteers, including a work day on Oct. 12 and Jan. 20, 2020, which will be the organization’s third annual MLK Day Habitat Restoration.

To sign up, go to birminghamaudubon.org/volunteer.

For more about the restoration, go to birminghamaudubon.org/putnam.