by Perry Z. Massengill
Region 3 Reservoir Fisheries
TN Wildlife Resources Agency
Recently, the first stage of a project that includes Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) , Rhea County High School (RCHS), and the Watts Bar Lake Association (WBLA) was put into action. Students from RCHS have been working on building wood duck boxes with funding and coordination from TVA, TWRA, and WBLA. While working on the project, some of the things the students are learning about include wildlife conservation, basic carpentry skills and working together for a common goal. After the wood duck boxes are completed, the second stage of the project will be put into motion as the carpentry students, along with other student groups from RCHS will join TVA, TWRA, and WBLA in the fall and winter to put the boxes out for nesting wood ducks on Chickamauga and Watts Bar Reservoirs. Pictured in rear behind RCHS carpentry students showing off some of their handy work are from L-R Perry Massengill (TWRA), Amy Murray (WBLA), Tim Tippett (RCHS), Roger Hensdale (WBLA), Scott Ledford (TVA), Jarod Coxey (TWRA) and Sheila Massengill (RCHS).