ITEM NUMBER: 7.B.
School Board Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 07/15/2024
- Prepared By:
- Audra Boyer
Item Type:
Subject:
Approval of Resolution Establishing of School Forest & Prairie at Center for Learning
Background:
Over the past several months, Center for Learning staff have been in the beginning stages of developing a School Forest and prairie restoration to provide a thriving natural habitat as an outdoor learning space for students and families.
Partners involved in this planning include: Henry Panowitsch from the Many Rivers Prairie Enthusiasts, Vanessa Zachman with the MN Department of Natural Resources, Laura Duffy with MN DNR School Forest Program, Julia Battern science teacher at East High School, and District facilities and maintenance staff.
We have worked with these partners from the initial planning stages to identify the steps necessary to establish a school forest and prairie on the C4L grounds. We have started the expansion of the school forest with the planting of 16 flowering shrubs donated by the DNR in partnership with East High School. Our facilities team has started the process of preparing the prairie land. Next steps include completing the application process to register our site as a school forest and continue to work with the DNR on identifying trees and shrubs to establish our forest. We will also be monitoring the prairie land to determine when the ground is ready for planting. The Prairie Enthusiasts will assist us in continuing to care for the prairie as it develops. It is our goal that these spaces will provide a thriving natural habitat to enhance student learning.
The resolution is attached for your review.
Partners involved in this planning include: Henry Panowitsch from the Many Rivers Prairie Enthusiasts, Vanessa Zachman with the MN Department of Natural Resources, Laura Duffy with MN DNR School Forest Program, Julia Battern science teacher at East High School, and District facilities and maintenance staff.
We have worked with these partners from the initial planning stages to identify the steps necessary to establish a school forest and prairie on the C4L grounds. We have started the expansion of the school forest with the planting of 16 flowering shrubs donated by the DNR in partnership with East High School. Our facilities team has started the process of preparing the prairie land. Next steps include completing the application process to register our site as a school forest and continue to work with the DNR on identifying trees and shrubs to establish our forest. We will also be monitoring the prairie land to determine when the ground is ready for planting. The Prairie Enthusiasts will assist us in continuing to care for the prairie as it develops. It is our goal that these spaces will provide a thriving natural habitat to enhance student learning.
The resolution is attached for your review.
Recommended Action:
The Administration recommends the approval of the establishing of a school forest & prairie at MAPS Center for Learning as presented.