Building commitment to sustainability through habitat restoration: A case study of Valley Forge Christian College

This sustainability initiative was created to improve the campus habitat for wildlife and to motivate students to begin new sustainability initiatives. A habitat restoration and educational outreach plan called “Habitat action to change hearts” (HATCH) was developed and a Campus Ecology grant provided support for this student‐led effort. Nestboxes were erected along a newly constructed nature trail that passes through the campus and a local park. Native trees were planted along the trail. Bluebirds (Sialia sialis), tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), and black‐capped chickadees (Parus atricapillus) nested in 83 percent of the nestboxes. Educational outreach was provided through various outlets, including training elementary students to monitor nestboxes, providing brochures that inform trail users about biodiveristy, cavity nesting birds, and habitat restoration, and giving student‐led tours of the trail that educated participants about environmental issues. The college has benefited from improved community relationships and raised awareness.