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West Jackson fourth-graders ask Hoschton City to back endangered-species license-plate designs
Summary
Fourth-graders from West Jackson Elementary presented license-plate designs and short proposals urging Hoschton City to promote local endangered species — from mole king snakes to bumblebees — as a way to educate residents about habitat loss and pollinator declines.
Fourth-grade students from West Jackson Elementary School presented endangered-species license-plate designs to the Hoschton City Council on a program led by teacher Jessica Knight. The students described how they used Google Earth, county biodiversity data and classroom math to research the local impact of habitat loss and to convey conservation messages through visual designs.
"We are a steam certified school here in Houston," Jessica Knight said as she introduced the project, explaining that students used data and Canva to create plates and short written proposals. Student presenters included Bennett Kennedy, who chose the mole king snake and proposed community banners and a "snake day" to reduce harm to snakes; Riley Kane, who urged the community to stop using rat poison to protect bald eagles; and Liam Cadenet, who recommended bee‑friendly pesticides and habitat protections for the American bumblebee.
"The animal I chose is the mole king snake," Bennett Kennedy said, arguing the species "helps balance the ecosystem." Riley Kane cited university research and warned of secondary poisoning from rodenticides; Liam asked the council to allow the plates to be sold so residents could display messages about pollinator conservation.
Teacher Jessica Knight told council members the project aims to educate a rapidly growing county about the effect of development on local ecosystems and endangered organisms. Council members thanked the students and recognized them as a group for their work.
The students' proposals were presented as community outreach ideas rather than formal requests tied to a specific ordinance or funding commitment. Council staff did not record a formal action on the designs during the meeting; the presentations concluded with staff and the mayor inviting the students to stand for recognition.
