Our Latest Story: Starting a New Life: Immigrant Children Connect with Nature in Their New Home

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. See our latest story: Starting a New Life: Immigrant Children Connect with Nature in Their New Home Adapting to their new life in the U.S., the children of Anza Elementary School are transforming themselves into confident young girls and boys through their new schoolyard habitat project. Above, students learn about native plant and animal food chains. Credit: Lisa Cox/USFWS   By Lisa Cox January 12, 2017 EL CAJON, Calif. – Dirt flies as students dig in a garden, the sound of laughter bouncing across the schoolyard. "There's sand in my shoes, but that's not stopping me!" exclaims Maryna, a third-grader digging holes for new plants at Anza Elementary School. Maryna and her fellow students have faced a lot more than sand in their shoes. Most of the children who attend Anza, in El Cajon, just east of San Diego, have emigrated from war-torn countries such as Iraq and Syria. They came from places of desert rock and dirt, confined to their homes, fearful because running outside could be fatal. From a hopeless situation overseas to a hopeful new life in the U.S., the children are transforming themselves into confident young girls and boys. And the supportive principal, teachers, Earth Discovery Institute (EDI), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) and others are witnessing this through their new schoolyard habitat project. Continue to full story...   Stay Connected with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region         This email was sent using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region · 2800 Cottage Way · Suite W-2606 · Sacramento, CA 95825