New Abby School Forest sparks excitement
The School District of Abbotsford will be welcoming a new addition to the agricultural and horticulture classes in the coming years.
Currently, the land has been used to plant crops and money raised from those crops has gone into a separate account from all other agriculture and school accounts. The money was then used to pay for seed and fertilizer for the following year.
The forest area will include about an acre of land beyond the outfield fence of the east softball/baseball diamond that will contain an outdoor learning space with eight apple trees, four pear trees, a songbird garden and a butterfly garden.
Beyond the outfield fence of the west softball/baseball field is a four acre area that will be filled with trees. The species of these trees are yet to be determined but District Administrator Ryan Bargender and District Accountability Coordinator Dr. Georgia Kraus said the district was looking at planting more mature maple and sugar maple trees to show kids how to tap trees and collect sap. This area will border West Hemlock Street and Hiline Avenue. The remaining 12 or so acres will be used as a natural grass and flower area for the time being.
Kraus and Middle and High School Principal Melissa Pilgrim said the area will be used for numerous learning opportunities for students. The school forest will also feature a walking path. Bargender said the city had some crushed blacktop material available to temporarily cover the path.
As a part of the declaration of the school forest, the Wisconsin DNR will give the school certain trees for free to get the forest started.
Financing for the project came from a grant the city of Abbotsford and school district jointly applied for through Canadian National and America In Bloom. The $10,000 grant will be used for seeding areas, a sign designating the forest as a school forest and other expenses related to the building of the forest. The grant is intended to:
n Enhance the quality of life in cities, villages, and townships.
n Promote public health benefits through the proper planting and care of trees and plants.
n Ensure that community landscapes provide ecosystem services – clean air and water, increased property values, reduced erosion and stormwater runoff, wildlife habitat, moderated temperatures, lessened energy demands, and year-round enjoyment.
n Enhance community tree canopy by properly planting diverse, quality trees for long-term sustainability and resistance to future pests.
n Beautify community gateways and create significant landscapes demonstrating the contribution of flowers and plants to growing community pride and economic vitality.
n Leverage CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up grant support to catalyze strong and enduring community partnerships to undertake and sustain community greening efforts.
n Provide opportunities for CN and its neighbors to work together towards shared goals of environmental stewardship.
n Support long-term community greening through
ongoing involvement in America in Bloom.
The forest will allow FFA and agriculture students at Abbotsford the opportunity to learn about horticulture, forestry, ecosystems and more.
