Students in the Earth and Environmental Science class at London High School recently completed a conservation project by building Barn Owl Boxes, supported by a wildlife education grant from the ODNR Division of Wildlife. The project connects to a real-world event from summer 2024, when Madison County Wildlife Officer Matt Teders responded to calls about baby barn owls that had fallen from their nest at London Elementary School. The Ohio Wildlife Center rescued, rehabilitated, and relocated the owlets, while additional measures like a platform and trail camera were installed to monitor and protect the remaining owlets.
To support future owl nesting, the LHS students constructed a new Barn Owl Box that will be installed on school grounds in a quiet, undisturbed area. Following ODNR guidelines, the box will be placed 10–15 feet high on a sturdy pole or structure to provide a safe environment. Students from Environmental Science and Biology classes will also monitor the box, collect data, and study owl behavior as part of a broader conservation and research project. This hands-on experience has given students valuable insight into wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting local species.