A gray thank‑you graphic with two photographs outlined in red and logos at the top. Across the top, large black text reads, “Thank you and Tyler Franklin Landscaping.” To the right of the text is the blue Gerdau logo, and to the left is a circular school STEM logo. On the left side of the graphic, black text reads: “We are sending thanks to Phillip Sutton and Gerdau of Cartersville for the donation of a load of slag to our Killdeer sanctuary!” Below this text is a photo showing two adults standing outdoors beside a large pile of dark gravel on a grassy area with trees in the background. On the right side of the graphic, black text reads: “We are also thankful for Tyler Franklin who picked up and delivered the slag to the Killdeer sanctuary site.” Below this text is a photo showing a dump trailer raised at an angle while unloading dark gravel onto a grassy field. A pickup truck is parked nearby, and trees and an overcast sky are visible in the background.

Killdeer sanctuary update

Beverly Hughes

January 29, 2025

We are so thankful for our newest community partners: Gerdau and Tyler Franklin Landscaping.

When we expressed a need for bird sanctuary materials, Phillip Sutton, a proud Pine Log community member, recommended slag. Located in Cartersville, Georgia, Gerdau's steel mill creates slag as an off product of the steel-making process. Sutton stated that the Killdeer love the slag and nest in the lava-like rocks on the Gerdau campus. Sutton advocated for PLES by asking for a donation of slag to add to our Killdeer sanctuary.

Tyler Franklin, a local landscaper, donated his time by picking up the slag in his landscaping truck from Gerdau and delivering the load to the Killdeer sanctuary on the Pine Log campus. Franklin stated that he was happy to help our school and be a part of our sanctuary build.

Our goal is to complete the Killdeer sanctuary no later than Friday, February 14, 2025, to increase the chances that the Killdeer will choose the sanctuary for a nesting site this season instead of our playgrounds. The success of Pine Log students in S.T.E.M is improved with community partners. We are so thankful for Phillip Sutton and Tyler Franklin for representing Gerdau and Tyler Franklin Landscaping to support our Killdeer sanctuary.

If you would like to be a S.T.E.M. Community Partner or a Pine Log Partner, please contact an administrator at 770-606-5864.