What: WildPlaces joined this year's Field Science Weekend to guide students in the construction of two floating islands planted with native riparian vegetation to create habitat and cleaner water. Circle J's Field Science Weekend is an effort to involve students in hands-on field science and expose them to exciting career opportunities in the field sciences and conservation.

Why: Circle J is home to a small man-made lake whose size fluctuates greatly between the dry summers and wet winters. Cattle have recently been excluded from much of the lake's shore allowing riparian vegetation to slowly return, but because the lake's level fluctuates greatly over the year plants along the shore either find themselves soaked or dry and do not thrive.

The islands, because they float, provide riparian habitat that is unaffected by the lakes level as it goes up in the winter and down in the summer. This is especially important for the animals that will use the islands as habitat. Migrating ducks and geese will use them seasonally as places to rest, hide, feed and possibly nest. Turtles will use them year round as a place to rest, hide or just warm themselves in the sun.

Who: 16 students took part in the Floating Island project. Around 60 students from local Tulare County high schools attended the Field Science Weekend and took part in various studies and projects.