School Forest

Highlights About Our School Forests

Centennial School Forest in Lino Lakes has become a hotbed for Eagle and Boy scout work. Under the leadership of site coordinator Kevin Setterholm, over the last six years, this 22-acre parcel wedged between the school and Interstate 35W has been the site of many seedling plantings, invasive species removals, a 30-seat outdoor classroom, prairie restoration, an active osprey nest pole, and other tree management projects. Read about how students planted 300 bare-root oak, red pine, and hackberry this spring in the Quad Community Press.

Parkview Center Elementary (Roseville) has created a web page, complete with photos, about their school forest. A web page is a great way to educate parents, administrators, and your community about what’s happening in your school forest. It’s also a great way to show off improvements such as seating areas, birdhouses, and student projects.

Great River School, St. Paul, is committed to teaching in their schoolyard and their designated School Forest: the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom (CWOC). The CWOC, an 18-acre section in the southwest part of Como Park, is managed by the City of St. Paul, open to the public, and in the process of intensive natural and cultural restoration efforts including oak and prairie plantings and restoration of WPA projects. Great River classes can walk to this site and engage in math, science, and reading activities, along with helping the City to restore this prized parkland.