Our goal is to put a wildlife habitat on every school campus in the Valley of the Sun!

At Zuni Hills we dream big! Imagine you are watching a video taken during the night and a rattlesnake slithers up after a mouse. Wow, this is wildlife happening in front of our own school because we won a contest for a natural wildlife habitat to be placed on our campus. We, as students of Zuni Hills, would take great pride in having this amazing wildlife habitat on the grounds of our campus. A wildlife habitat would provide experiences which would enhance our school environment and encourage the building of responsible citizens.

Located near the Agua Fria Corridor, Zuni Hills provides a safe and secure refuge for a variety of wildlife. Our ideal location attracts animals and is a perfect retreat for desert creatures. The staff, students and community will form a partnership to maintain the habitat should we be afforded the privilege.

When discussing this contest, our school family showed excitement and eagerness for the project. Immediately our entire school community pledged and volunteered to assist with the maintenance of the habitat. Over 400 families made a commitment to the year-around care of the habitat. Whether weeding, picking up trash, or managing the habitat, parents and children expressed dedication to helping secure a rich learning environment for the students of Zuni Hills.

As a Pre-school through 8^th grade campus with many self-contained Special Education classrooms, the benefits and learning experiences would benefit all students. Every year our students would discover the mysteries of Arizona wildlife. The habitat would give students the chance to gain knowledge through observation, learn about and exercise desert preservation. The habitat would provide a perfect addition to our science curriculum. Moreover, it would be a place of celebration, a place to relax, take a walk and be surrounded by nature.

The administration and staff are committed to providing students with authentic opportunities to broaden their educational experiences. If Zuni Hills is fortunate enough to receive the wildlife habitat the administration pledges to provide night cameras which would be installed for students to study nocturnal animals. The presence of the cameras would also serve to ensure the safety of night creatures and guarantee that the wildlife has a safe place to thrive.

Our Student Council and National Junior Honor Society have committed themselves to taking an active role in this project. Additionally, a Science Habitat Club will be formed to serve as ambassadors to the habitat. They will strive to become experts on the habitat, and will become mentors to younger students. They will provide guided tours of the habitat; teach visitors how to help keep the habitat in good condition and promote a positive as well as a fun learning environment for all.

When the occasion to enter the Schoolyard Wildlife Habitat Contest arose, our school team and community jumped at this prospect in hopes of being the new home for the wildlife habitat. Bringing kids and family back to nature is especially significant to Zuni Hills because of our proximity to the Agua Fria Corridor. Should the Zuni Hills community be fortunate enough to secure the habitat the dreams of our students, staff and patrons would be realized!