Country Day's New Land Lab

If you haven’t yet this fall, take a closer look at the school’s newest native area – the prairie field. Nestled within the school’s 60-acre campus and created last fall, the prairie may appear a bit unruly at first, but beneath the surface, deep roots are forming, soil is renewing, and a resilient ecosystem is taking shape.

Jana Westhoven, the lead teacher for the school’s outdoor education program, explains that the prairie, known as the Land Lab, helps students see nature as a living system where plants, insects, and birds all depend on one another. “It connects what they learn in class to what’s happening right at their feet.” During a recent visit, 4th-grade students explored the Land Lab up close, observing plants, collecting insects, and identifying them by their characteristics, behaviors, and ecological roles.

Beyond its value to students, the Land Lab restores a piece of Ohio’s natural heritage and provides a haven for native species. “It’s more than an outdoor classroom; it will keep growing and changing alongside our students,” Jana says. “These hands-on experiences inspire curiosity, build problem-solving skills, and foster responsibility for caring for the natural world.”

She also encourages families to get involved by joining planting or care days, walking the trail to observe seasonal changes, and supporting native gardening efforts at home. “Even small steps, like planting a few native flowers or reducing pesticide use, can make a big difference.”