Elgin High seniors urge district help to stabilize Poplar Creek, citing erosion and pollution

Several Elgin High School students and community members used the public-comment period of the March 24 School District U-46 board meeting to urge district support for Poplar Creek stabilization and cleanup.

Jacob Lesch and Ava Patel, seniors in the International Baccalaureate diploma program, said hands-on science investigations at Poplar Creek showed bank erosion, sediment pollution and invasive plants weakening native biodiversity. “We want the U-46 district to help care for the creek by preserving the public creek, as it protects a valuable real world learning resource for the students at Elgin,” Lesch told the board.

Brandon Cardozo described water-quality test results presented by students, saying dissolved oxygen and copper readings were higher than expected and linking tree failures along the bank to soil instability and invasive species. “Invasive species often outcompete native plants, further weakening the soil structure and accelerating erosion,” Cardozo said.

Hassan Hamad urged the district to seek professional environmental restoration assistance, saying planting native grasses alone will not be sufficient given the scale of erosion. “The scale of the damage requires the expertise of environmental professionals who have the tools and knowledge necessary to be able to implement effective and lasting solutions,” Hamad said. He and other speakers asked the district to consider small immediate actions—trash receptacles and signage—as interim steps while pursuing larger restoration work.

District officials did not give a formal response during the meeting. Speakers requested the district consider professional assessment and restoration so Poplar Creek can remain a long-term educational asset for Elgin High students.