EDWARDSVILLE Before their first day of classes, approximately 650 incoming Southern Illinois University Edwardsville freshmen were loaded into buses on Saturday, Aug. 19 and transported to Metro East farms, gardens, wetlands and more to learn a valuable lesson about community service.

We want to introduce them to SIUEs value of citizenship and what it means for them, said Sarah Laux, assistant director of civic engagement with SIUEs Kimmel Student Involvement Center. We want them to start early in providing service to their community and thinking about how they can give back.

The locations were chosen based on their needs and because some are in partnership with SIUE, according to Laux. For example, La Vista CSA Farm provides produce for Campus Kitchen at SIUE.

The students conducted an array of jobs such as planting, weeding, mulching, harvesting, removing invasive species and painting. The sites where students worked:

Watershed Nature Center is an organization dedicated to providing environmental education, passive recreation, and enjoyment of native habitats.

Willoughby Farm is part of the Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD). It is a place where the history of the area comes alive through historic structures, original tools, replica gardens and a restored environment.

Arlington Wetlands is an American Bottom wetland acquired by the Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD) with efforts to bring the land to full restoration. Because of its proximity to the confluence of the Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, Arlington Wetlands plays a major role in the migration of waterfowl throughout the year.

The Granite City Community Gardens (GCCG) is a network that brings neighbors together to create and sustain gardens that benefit the Granite City community.

La Vista CSA Farm is community-supported agriculture.

Beverly Farm is home to nearly 400 individuals who live with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Garden of Harmony (Aya Grows) is a nonprofit initiative in East St. Louis that invests in ecological enrichment, community solidarity and personal empowerment through creative community-based place making.

These sites gave the students a sense of our diverse community and the diverse needs, Laux. Also, a lot of these sites have continuing needs, so students who want to continue to volunteer can.

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The Telegraph | SIUE students learn about community service - Alton Telegraph