MICHIGAN – Three cheers for conservation education and partners for bringing programming to our nation’s schools. One program in particular, Rooting Youth to Our National Forests, recently gave students a hands-on learning experience taking them into the Huron-Manistee National Forests.

Seventh graders from Baldwin Community Schools participated in a two-part educational series covering basic conservation topics: planting native trees and crucial plants for pollinators, maintaining recreational trails and controlling invasive species. Along with field experience, students had classroom sessions with a Forest Service wildlife biologist and botany staff.

“Students were asking questions about careers in wildlife management, environmental advocacy and
forestry. They were so proud of the results of their labor and they were even able to connect our time in the field to what we had learned about ecosystems and evolution in the classroom,” noted Brynn Mathis, science teacher, Baldwin Community Schools. “I hope they see their backyard in a new light now, and I hope we can continue this kind of work in the future.”

Carolyn Henne, botanist on the Huron-Manistee National Forests said, “Talking to students in the classroom about plant ecology and then bringing them outdoors to remove invasive plants to protect plant communities puts what they’re learning into practice in a fun and rewarding way.”

Rooting Youth to Our National Forests project was coordinated by Conservation Resource Alliance, Baldwin Community Schools and Huron-Manistee National Forests personnel. The purchase of plants and materials was made possible thanks to the National Forest Foundation.

“Partnership programs like this foster engagement with national forests, with the hope that kids will be inspired to consider an environmental career path, start a new hobby or simply add the Huron-Manistee National Forests to their rotation of favorite places to explore,” said Jacob Lubera, Baldwin-White Cloud district ranger on the forest. “The future of our national forests is in the hands of our youth and we must give them knowledge, skills, inspiration and access to protect our natural resources.”

The Huron-Manistee National Forest Day Use Area at Minnie Pond received two visits from the students. Their impact on the area is impressive and includes:

• 1,000 native Northern Red Oaks planted in areas devastated by disease
• Twelve plots (480 plants) of pollinator species were planted and fenced (to protect the plants from deer browsing)
• One mile of trail connecting to a five-mile trail system was cleared and improved to enhance access for recreational enthusiasts – especially important coming into summer
• Invasive species such as Autumn Olive, Mullen and spotted knapweed were pulled using various removal tools