The Ecology Club of Cooper Elementary was originally established back in 1994 as a 5th grade student initiative to improve the aesthetic appeal of the school grounds. The students had a desire to restore some of the natural wetlands that used to dominate the site. The students also expressed a desire to create a nature trail that would be utilized for outdoor classroom experiences and to provide an environmentally friendly fitness area for the school body as well as community residents. The Ecology Club has been recognized by the Hampton Clean City Commission as a member of the Adopt-A-Spot program since 1994 and the Adopt-A-Stream program associated with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

After their initial goals were achieved, the students did not stop there. They are now building an outdoor classroom and are even creating nesting boxes and feeding stations for wildlife. The Ecology Club is working with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to document the different species of butterflies, reptiles, birds and mammals that currently live on school grounds. The group is also working towards their national certification as a 4-H Junior Master Gardener. They are also pursuing their certification as an official "Schoolyard Habitat" through the National Wildlife Federation. The students are in the process of developing an environmental public service announcement to air on the school's closed circuit TV news program.

The Ecology Club has been able to raise nearly $25,000 to fund all of their efforts. Future objectives include plans to clean up Tide Mill Creek, to build a school greenhouse, establish a blue bird trail, and even an attempt to establish and maintain an American chestnut grove on school grounds. The diary of Captain John Smith indicates that chestnut trees were native to the area during colonial times. At present, these trees no longer exist on the peninsula. The students have been widely recognized by their local community and the state of Virginia. To date, they have received over 30 environmental grants and awards, including first place honors in the "Keep Virginia Beautiful" awards program in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2002.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, "The Cooper Elementary Ecology Club includes all the components that drive the mission of the National Wildlife Federation: to educate students, teachers, and the community about personal involvement in environmental citizenship, to inspire others to be a part of a community and to assist one another so that respect and care for nature are passed on from generation to generation. For these reasons, NWF is pleased to align with Cooper Elementary. We are impressed with the accomplishments of the students and the teacher in creating an exciting outdoor space for a learning environment. The students have come up with many innovative ideas, have show initiative and have had a positive impact throughout their community. We look forward to working with them on their future schoolyard habitat projects."