Many of the Highlander 4-H Club parents assisted with the club’s bluebird house building project by donating supplies and tools and also being extra hands during the building process. Jason Thomann assisted his daughter Madison while she worked to build her birdhouse. 4-H is a place where parents can connect and reconnect with their children while working, learning, serving and playing together.

Bluebirds used to be a key identifier of spring, but with the industrialization of Iowa much of their homes have been decimated, causing a decrease in the population. The Highland 4-H club members were inspired by the Our Magazine article “Where Have All the Bluebirds Gone?” to construct 12 bluebird houses on April 14. With wood donated by BCI Lumber in North Liberty, the club learned to follow building instructions, measure, and safely use tools in the construction process. The club hopes these birdhouses will help increase bluebird numbers in southeastern Iowa. The club is now looking for public locations to install and maintain the houses. If you are interested contact the Washington County Extension Office.