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Environmental Club members along with lead teacher, Linda
Mowery, conducted a multi-day project at the Middle School
this spring. |
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On
Friday, April 19 the 8th grade science class
learned the “Benefits of Trees” led by CI’s Outreach
Coordinator, Molly Barkman. This fun and interactive
presentation had students thinking and reviewing parts of a
tree, photosynthesis and carbon sequestering, energy
savings, and aesthetic values of trees. This educational
lesson was in preparation for a tree planting on April 24.
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The
Environmental Club along with the help from other clubs
planted 14 trees around the school. A hill behind the school
was experiencing some erosion. |
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Students from
grades 6th- 8th worked together to
plant the trees. Participating students were given a
demonstration on the proper way to plant a tree lead by CI’s
Urban Forestry Coordinator, Tanner Haid. Students were able
to identify the root collar to ensure the tree was not
planted too deep into the ground causing the roots to rot
and the tree to die. |
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The 57
participating students broke up into smaller groups. Each
group member played an active role in the planting. One
group of 4 boys had the honors of mulching all of the 14
newly planted trees. They were able to mulch the trees with
great precision. Watering the trees was the final step
in the process. |
Following the tree planting, Linda Mowery’s science classes
grew native grass seed in the classroom. The 48 classroom
grown native grasses were planted behind the school to help
to further reduce erosion coupled with the tree planting. |
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Planting Day 2 took
place on May 21. On this day 22 students worked to install a
40 square foot rain garden in the front of the school along
with planting the native grasses behind the school. Both
spaces were prepped the morning of planting. The rain garden
was constructed used a tiller and the soil was amended with
sand to increase the porosity and encourage greater
infiltration of water. The native grass space was
tilled to loosen the soil for planting. |
Students
planted 48 native plants in the rain garden. Some plants
that were planted in the rain garden include; black-eyed
susans, monkey flower, blue flag, boneset, and a button
bush. |
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Students
had a great time being outdoors on a beautiful day at the
end of the school year. While some club members will be
moving on to the high school next year they will leave
behind projects that will be cared for by the remaining and
new club members |
