The environmentally concerned students of Odyssey Middle School and Odyssey High School came to the realization that their school was located in special natural setting. The 81-acre site was an interesting mix of forest, wetlands, and streams. In order to protect the site's future, they felt the need to increase public awareness and raise concern by fostering appreciation.

The group decided to develop a program for elementary students that would bring them to the site and allow them to experience nature first hand. This new program became the Student Tour and Activity Program. In less than two school semesters, this outreach program has already reached 19 elementary school classes, encompassing 350 students. Several additional schools have made arrangements to attend the program during the Spring semester. The O.N.P. class began by researching about the native wildlife of Central Michigan. Next, they developed a nature trail and created life-size silhouettes of the native fauna. The silhouettes were placed along the trail in areas where those individual species were most likely to occur in nature.

The students also developed an "Activities Area" where they facilitated environmental education games. The games were designed to specifically satisfy several of the cognitive objectives established by the Michigan State Educational Goals and Objectives iniative. The group also designed a post-visit activity book for visiting students to take back to their own schools.

In the future, O.N.P. would like to add trailhead markers, directional signage, a trail map, and a detailed site map. The students are also considering the possibility of rebuilding the wetlands boardwalk, adding an observation tower overlooking the creek, and a new trail bridge crossing Onion Creek.

The Nature Conservancy made the following statement, "The Nature Conservancy is pleased to align itself with the Odyssey Nature Project. The Odyssey Nature Project has done a wonderful job researching the native species found in their backyard to create animal models and an interpretive trail. The community outreach that the Odyssey Nature Project has demonstrated towards other area students and local residents is a model of success for other schools and students to emulate. They have created a special place for future generations. They are truly stewards of the environment."