1950s: 50+ Years of Hylebos Creek Education & Protection

When Mr. and Mrs. Justus bought the property for Montessori Academy at Spring Valley, the term “environmentalist” may not have even been coined. At that time and for decades afterward, the local city allowed builders to pave over the Hylebos in most of its locations. It runs underground more than it does above ground. Mr. and Mrs. Justus worked to preserve the Hylebos Creek, its natural plant life, and the animals that live there. Below you will see a picture of Mrs. Justus with a board of pictures that children drew depicting the life and plants in the creek.