May 20, 2021

Last week, the entire 8th grade class at Bettendorf Middle School had the opportunity to learn from community leaders as a part of the First Green Program at Palmer Hills Golf Course. After weeks of studying the effects of human impact on the environment, the students were able to visit the course to discuss environmental mitigation strategies with professionals in the field.

Brian Hickey, Palmer Hills Superintendent, had the students doing hands-on experiments dealing with turf and soil maintenance, organic fertilizers, and other environmentally friendly initiatives at the golf course. Rob DePover, the City of Bettendorf's ESC Technician, showed the students real examples of how the city and the golf course manage water retention. Kelsi Denoyer, a Scott County Watershed Coordinator, had the students testing the creeks along Middle Road for contaminants to judge the health of the creek. Finally, Chris Like, Bettendorf Schools STEAM Coordinator and varsity golf coach, introduced students to the game of golf, developing recreational skills they can use for a lifetime.