FREDERICK COUNTY, MD - A program that gets students focused on hands-on environmentalism is spreading through Frederick County.

The Schoolyard Habitat program helps students and teachers in elementary, middle and high schools turn a piece of school property into a habitat.

Some schools have "no-mow" zones, an area where the lawn is replaced by plants and wildflowers.

Brunswick High School is growing plants that gauge how much pollution is in the air.

"We try to teach them good skills as far as how to plant things and why it's important to plant native plants and how they're going to help the Chesapeake Bay," said April Wells, the county's schoolyard habitat specialist.

Teachers hope the hands-on activities help students develop an understanding of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.