Retired science teacher George McNair of Bandon offers a brief lesson on the flora and fauna of Gross Creek to Harbor Lights Middle School students recently. McNair, a landscape architect, is constructing two open-air classrooms and multiple wildlife viewing corridors along the creek near the school using grant funds provided by the Coquille Indian Tribe.-World Photo by Steve McCasland

BANDON — Take one enthusiastic landscape architect who recently retired from teaching science to middle schoolers. Add a Native American tribe interested in sustaining and sharing its history and culture.

Blend the ingredients on the banks of a bubbling creek that flows just outside the Harbor Lights Middle School fence.

Shake well and what do you get?

Open-air classrooms. Stimulated students. And better learning.

The former science teacher, George McNair of Bandon, isn’t one to resist a challenge.

Even after giving up teaching last year and falling back on his landscaping background, McNair still thought about how well his former students had responded to learning outside the traditional classroom environment.

He researched grant sources, looking for ways to expand their outdoor learning opportunities. Eventually, a program offered by the Coquille Indian Tribe led his thoughts to the overgrown forest bordering Gross Creek directly east of the school.

Harbor Lights science classes already had been visiting that area to study ecology, but there was no place to sit and conduct a class.

McNair produced a landscape design with a walking trail and open-air classrooms along the creek, then applied for and received a $20,000 grant from the Coquilles.

“This project (which he has dubbed named Native American Trails) serves a dual purpose: helping our young people learn about ecology and about Native American culture,” he explained.

In the ensuing months, the funding allowed much of the construction to be completed on a pair of open-air classrooms and a trail along the creek. One of the 25-seat cement-block amphitheater classrooms is near the creek bed; the other overlooks meandering wetlands.

Workers also removed brush and trimmed trees along the trail to create view corridors.

“They also allow viewing wildlife without disturbing it,” McNair said.

The school district’s Indian education students planted indigenous species such as western sword fern, rhododendron, huckleberry and others along the trail. A series of interpretive panels will be developed to illustrate various aspects of Native American culture and the area’s wildlife and ecology.

Harbor Lights Principal Jerry Prickett believes the project will enhance students’ learning once teachers have the opportunity to adjust lesson plans to take advantage of the facility.

“This project will offer students the opportunity for hands-on, practical application of what they learn in books,” he said.

McNair believes the outdoor classrooms are especially suited for social studies and science classes.

“One of the benefits of the Trails is helping the kids learn about wetlands — what constitutes a wetland and why wetlands are important for animal and plant habitat,” he said.

Another key educational benefit will be learning about the culture of the Coquille Tribe, which was closely linked with the surrounding environment.

McNair is convinced that learning outside the usual classroom walls will help to motivate young students.

“So, you’ll have hands-on study with stimulated kids,” he said with a grin.

The public is welcome to enjoy the new trail and amphitheaters, but should stay away from the creekbed and wetland habitat.

“Take a stroll, view the plants and other wildlife, read a book and just enjoy the outdoors,” McNair suggested.

Bandon Staff Writer Steve McCasland can be reached by calling 347-2423, ext. 29; or by e-mailing smccasland@theworldlink.com.