The Earth is something we should all be taking care of, especially since it’s the only one we’ve got!
7th grade students from Baldwin Public Schools got the chance to make a direct impact on the environment at the Huron-Manistee National Forest.
National Forest Foundation and Conservation Resource Alliance teamed up with the students for a new project called, ‘Rooting Youth to our National Forests.’ They showed them that their efforts can really make a difference. Students took their hands-on learning experiences from the classroom and planted their own seeds of success at the Minnie Pond Day Use Area in the forest.
The 7th graders planted 1,000 Northern Red Oak trees and 480 plants for pollinators, cleaned up and improved one mile of a recreation trail, and learned all about controlling invasive species. This program’s goal is to encourage students to be engaged with their ecosystems, and hope that they will be inspired to consider an environmental career path or start a new hobby.
Jake Lubera, Baldwin White Cloud District Ranger says, “The specific pieces of this (project) was first to introduce the kids to nature, and also work with them to get an understanding of their local environment. And also having a greater respect for what’s in their backyard.”
Biologist and CRA Project Manager, DJ Shook shares, “We looked at this project as an opportunity to help our forest service partners, do a project on public land in our service area and short distance from the Baldwin public schools so the students could have a look at what they accomplished.”
This project was funded by the National Forest Foundation to purchase all plants and necessary materials for the students to use. The National Forest partners and CRA want the students to know that their hard work does not go unnoticed, and will be here for years to come.
For more information, visit the The National Forest Foundation website , and the Conservation Resource Alliance website .
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