A local high school class is learning how to save the environment one plant at a time.

Action News Reporter Joe Comings tells us how a student project is also helping to protect property.

Students from Chenango Forks High School trade their desks and chairs for picks and waders.

For 3 months they've worked on a project to revitalize the school's Casey Swamp.

"It's real hands on it's not like any other class. It's fun to do. I'm not one to just sit in a classroom and write down notes all day. Like we always come out side and do this work... it's fun to do," said Junior Erik Jones.

Jones says the experience has made his science class his favorite class.

"Learning about wetland plants. Ecosystems, the value of wetland plants to the ecosystem. How they protect from sedimentation, erosion, how they add oxygen to the environment," said CF Science Teacher Tim Connor.

The Baltimore Aquarium and Upper Susquehanna Coalition are guiding the project.

They also provided hundreds of plants like reeds, sedges and blue marsh marigolds the students have grown to place in the wetland.

While the students are wrapping up their project today, their teacher Tim Conner tells us that the overall goal for this wetland has just begun.

"We're going to spend time over the next five years trying to make sure that these plants do take hold. We're going to come down, nurture take out the competing plants that are invasive and watch them for that period of time. And hopefully at that time we can expand and get the whole wetland restored," said Connor.

The Baltimore Aquarium says wetlands serve as natural flood controls, acting as sponges to absorb water.

It's valuable knowledge these students have absorbed while working to help protect their community.

In the Town of Chenango, Joe Comings WBNG-TV Action News.

The Triad Foundation, associated with Cornell University, provided the grant to pay for the Casey Swamp project.

It's helping fund wetland restoration along the Chesapeake Bay Watershed that runs from New York to Maryland.