Scout Greens Up Aftereffects Of Road Project Near Avon School

Avon Old Farms School

AVON, CT — A road project near Avon Old Farms School may have resulted in a parcel of nearby land being stripped of trees, but one local Boy Scout appears to have taken care of that problem.

But Avon Old Farms student Jeffrey “JD” Stratton’s Eagle Scout project recently replaced 150-plus trees removed for the Old Farms Road realignment.

While the recent relocation of Old Farms Road created a safer entrance to the school, it left behind an empty stretch of land near the woodshop where the road used to traverse.

After the winter, the vacant strip had been covered with a layer of dirt and fallen leaves, beginning to blend back in with the natural surroundings — a process that would normally take decades.

It was, therefore, extremely fortuitous timing for Stratton, a sophomore, to be looking for an Eagle Scout project to complete.

An Atlanta native, Stratton decided he would rather carry out his project on campus as
opposed to his hometown area.

“It’s a good way for me to stay involved outdoors when I’m at school,” Stratton said. “As a boarding student, I spend a lot of time here in Avon. It’s a great place. I love it. So, it was nice to be able to do a project on campus, to give back.”

For Stratton, the process started with a meeting with the school's director of sustainability and science teacher Katy Perry.

They discussed some possible options.

“I wanted to do something that would have a real impact,” Stratton said. “I wanted something that people might not necessarily remember as an Eagle Scout project, but will have a positive impact that always remains.”

Perry suggested they talk to Director of Facilities Glenn Wilcox to see if he had any ideas, and that’s when he suggested planting trees on the stretch of old road, saying it was at the top of his priority list.

All agreed this would be the perfect project for Stratton to pursue.

“Learning in our outdoor environment, being stewards to our campus, it’s part of what we do here,” Perry explained. “Plus, now he can visit these trees whenever he comes back.”

The process began in the fall of 2024 with some research into what trees would be best
to plant.

“We needed something indigenous that would fit in with the natural
surroundings,” Stratton said.

In the end, a few different varieties were chosen to maintain a healthy biodiversity.

Stratton then had to do some fundraising—a required component for an Eagle Scout
project.

With this, along with other funding from the school, he purchased the trees, fertilizer, and other materials to get the job done.

As spring approached, he put out the call for volunteers and dozens of students, staff,
and their families responded.

“It was great to see the community come together, especially the faculty. They don’t need community service hours; they just wanted to help,” Stratton said.

The planting took place over a weekend at the end of April.

In all, Stratton and his volunteers planted 163 trees spanning the entire stretch of where the road once was.

With help from woodworking teacher Mr. James Kassel, Stratton also built and installed
a bench nearby.

Stratton expressed his gratitude to Kassel and Perry for all their help.

Perry said she was more than happy to be a part of it.

“Well, for one, it was a great opportunity to get to know JD. He’s a wonderful student and a fantastic human being. But also, with all the construction projects happening, this project was great for our
campus and a sign of goodwill that we’re replacing trees that get removed,” Perry said.

With his Eagle Scout project completed, Stratton now has just a few more assignments to complete before achieving the rank of Eagle.