Brush Pile/ Decomposer Habitat
Students in the class of 2016 were very concerned about the amount of loose branches, sticks, and walmuts that were on the ground where the students play and the custodial staff mows. They asked if they could pick them up and begin a small brush pile, along the
A Small brush pile was created, labeled in photograph. It is on the far left side of the kickball field, along the tree line. This brush pile acts as a decomposer habitat, as is the entire left and back side of the school's property. This tree and shrub area are left to the back both grow naturally and are not regularly disturbed or trimmed back. The natural growth and decay of brush allows decomposers, which are important in keeping a balance in our food chain.
Pictured below: is part of the lower field in the back of the school's property. In the spring this grass is oven mowed less and left a little longer compared to where student's are on the play ground. This low mow area allows birds to have more shelter when searching for food and keeps the grass thicker and healthier. |
Invasive Species Lesson from Outdoor Educator Green Center
(Claude E. Kitchens Outdoor School at Fairview)
Washington Country's Outdoor education center has a 5th grade program that all grade 5 students spend 4 days and 3 nights completing, Fairview's invasive lesson helped prepare student better understand how to identify invasive species, in order to remove any invasive plants before planting our native plants in OFE's garden.
Future Bat Box Installation
The members of Girl Scout troop 40124 are students at Old Forge. The troop meets at Old Forge Elementary School and helps out with the gardens. In January of 2017 the room made bat boxes. Julia Brophey, 5th grader, would like to hang her bat box at the school for more OFE students to learn from and enjoy.
Mrs. Trader's class had an online discussion on Google Classroom in February of 2017, determining possible areas to hang the bat box and researching information to help us make informed decisions. Below are a few snap shots of our online discussion.
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