The MSE Grounds The Latest News To read "Why" and to view some of the pictures visit their web site. Below is a copy of the official letter. Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District 175-A Commercial Parkway Canton, MS 39046-9769 (601) 859-4272, Ext. 3 February 14, 2007 Principal Beverly Johnston Madison Station Elementary 261 Reunion Parkway Madison, MS 39110 Dear Principal Johnston, The Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District is pleased to announce The Madison Station Elementary School First Grade Teachers have been selected as Conservation Educators of the Year. The Teachers dedication to the preservation and conservation of our precious natural resources is commendable. We wish to recognize their accomplishments at our 23rd Annual Membership Banquet on Thursday, March 8, 2007, at the Canton Multipurpose Complex in Canton. The evening begins with a social hour at 6:00 p.m. and dinner is served at 7:00 p.m. A teacher from each first grade class and yourself are cordially invited to be our guest at the banquet. We hope you can join us as we recognize Madison Station Elementary First Grade Teachers accomplishments. Please call our office at 601-859-4272, ext. 3, no later than February 23, 2007, with the names of the guests attending. In addition to the Conservation Educator of the Year award, we also recognize a Farmer of the Year, Conservationist of the "Year, Conservation Developer of the Year and Wildlife Conservationist. Madison County students are also being recognized for winning first place in various categories of our annual poster and essay contest. Congratulations again on your schools selection as Conservation Educators of the Year. We look forward to seeing you on March 8th. Please call at the above referenced number if you have any questions. Sincerely, Celia R. Miller District Administrator

Previous News MSE wants to give a special thank you to Mr. Leonard and Home Depot's Tool Rental for assisting us with our continued campus beautification.  Have you noticed many things have been changing on the grounds lately?  A big thanks goes out to the numerous groups that are helping in improving the area.  We still have a lot to do so stay tuned to read and see our progress.  Many projects are still ongoing.  Last year the sign was raised, bird feeders were installed, ramps for easier access were built to the playgrounds, and the 1st phase of landscaping for our pond was completed.  This year we're adding more mulch to the playgrounds, landscaping the grounds, upgrading the playground equipment, installing a fountain, and adding an outdoor classroom. A special thanks goes to Coach Crawford and his happy heart to help spread $6000 of mulch. For the fountain the PTO is still piecing information together to build a fountain that is utilizing the bricks and pavers that were purchased in previous years' fundraising.  We are reviewing designs with JBHM locally and awaiting for final designs to be approved.  Stay tuned for more information and possibly a chance to get involved! The first phase of reestablished the levee for the pond has completed.  Phase two is ongoing adding interpretation, accessibility, enhancements with wildlife plantings and bird houses/feeding stations, and improving the aquatic diversity to turn the area into an outdoor classroom for teaching!  How cool is that?  We'll have our own outdoor amphitheater style teaching area.  A special thanks goes to the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the US. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Barry Hall Landscapes.  It's good to see a blue sky in clear water.  (see pictures below) To see a layout of our school grounds, click here.

Ground Pictures

This information was obtained from The Madison County Herald web site where more information is available.

Panoramic View of the Pond after Phase I

Bird feeding stations were supplied by Wild Birds Unlimited and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service This bird feeding station is in front of the 1st grade class window with Justin Mast, Beverly Johnston, and Kathy Ross.