Whittier Tech Students Build Birdhouses for Parker River Clean Water Association NestWatch Program

From left, Carpentry Instructor Mike Sandlin, Whittier Tech seniors Austin Adamson, Savannah Johnson, Odelys Morel, Maria Garcia Rojas, and Mark Irving from Parker River Clean Water Association showcase the new birdhouses made by carpentry students. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)

Superintendent Maureen Lynch is pleased to share that Whittier Tech Carpentry students built birdhouses for the Parker River Clean Water Association (PRCWA) NestWatch program.

Senior carpentry students, Odelys Morel, Maria Garcia Rojas, and Karlenny Garcia, all from Haverhill, built four birdhouses for the program to replace old and deteriorating nesting houses.

The new birdhouses will become home to Eastern Blue Birds and Tree Swallows. Through the NestWatch program, PRCWA will observe and collect data from these boxes to monitor nesting patterns, to help restore the population of these mitigatory birds to the New England area.

“It is a great feeling knowing that these boxes will provide a safe haven for migratory birds,” said senior carpentry student Maria Garcia, of Haverhill. "I'm making a difference in my community, particularly in my community's ecosystem."

The program was coordinated by Whittier Tech Science Instructor and Environmental Club Advisor Ryan Burke and Carpentry Instructor Mike Sandlin.

"I want to thank Parker River Clean Water Association for allowing our students to make an impact within their community," said Sandlin. "It was wonderful to see our students get excited while creating these birdhouses, knowing they are truly making a difference."

"This was a great experience for our students and faculty," said Burke. "Creating sustainable birdhouses for the NestWatch program truly makes a difference for these animals and it was amazing to see our students get involved."

Whittier Tech Science Instructor and Environmental Club Advisor Ryan Burke, center, works with Whitter Tech seniors Odelys Morel, left, and Maria Garcia Rojas as they build birdhouses for PRCWA NestWatch program. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)

Senior Savannah Johnson, of Haverhill, holds a birdhouse built by carpentry students, which was donated to PRCWA's Nestwatch program. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)