|
| Developing Forest Stewards in Urban Detroit Schools
Project Team:
Joan Chadde*, Program Coordinator, MTU Center for Science & Environmental Outreach
Mike Mansour*, Director, Hawk Wood Nature Center
Mike Reed*, Manager, Belle Isle Nature Zoo
Lisa Perez (USDA Forest Service Urban Connections Program)
*Michigan Alliance for Environmental & Outdoor Education board members
Project Partners:
Michigan Technological University
Michigan Alliance for Environmental & Outdoor Education
Hawk Woods Nature Center
Belle Isle Nature Zoo
Michigan Forest Foundation
Detroit Math & Science Center / Detroit Public Schools
Michigan Project Learning Tree
Urban Forest Stewardship Project Participants
20 teachers from 10 schools in Detroit participated during the 2011-2012 school year.
17 teachers from another ten middle & high schools in Detroit will participate during the 2012-13 school year.
School-Year Workshops
2011-2012
Oct. 22 - tree identification and invasive species
Dec. 3 - Project Learning Tree classroom activities, urban forestry presentation by Greening of Detroit, and stewardship project planning.
March 17 – invasive species removal community service project and schoolyard native species habitat planning
2012-2013
Nov. 3 – Engaging Student in Forestry Field Research & Forest Stewardship Project planning
Dec. 1 - schoolyard native species habitat planning
March 16 – Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife (Project Wild curricula)
Class Field Trips
The students participated in 3 field trip to Belle Isle.
Field Trip #1 (Nov 2011) - students participated in either Trees As Habitats or Winter Tree ID, in addition to taking a tour of Belle Isle, exploring the Belle Isle Nature Zoo (which they loved!), and touring the three stewardship projects.
Field Trip #2 (March-May 2012) - students participated in their chosen stewardship projects.
Field Trip #3 (March-May 2012) - students participated in their chosen stewardship projects.
Forest Stewardship Projects
Each school team selected one of the three stewardship projects on Belle Isle:
shoreline restoration, trail construction, or invasive species control.
Community Work Days
Teachers and their classes are encouraged to participate in DNR Stewardship Field Days in SE Michigan and and the monthly (3rd Saturday) Stewardship Saturdays (http://www.fobi.org/new.htm) on Belle Isle led by volunteer, Mebby Pearson. Volunteers help remove invasive plant species, such as honeysuckle and privet, from the island, in order to preserve Belle Isle’s old growth forest. Teachers and students participate in at least one of these, if possible.
Community Open House Events
The community open house events took place from 4-6 pm, May 16 & 17, and noon-2 pm, Saturday, May 19. Each school was assigned to one of the dates. Students led tours of their stewardship project to show off their accomplishments to their families and other visitors.
Forestry Teaching Resources
The teachers were able to make their own selections of classroom resources, dependent upon the subjects and grades they teach, to help them in teaching a forestry unit during the school year. A list of Forestry Curricula & Trade Books was provided for teachers to choose from. Additional resources were provided at the summer forestry institute. A Forest Measurements Activity Kit has been created and is available to school groups visiting Belle Isle Nature Zoo.
Schoolyard Natural Areas
Each school was provided with $800 to create a schoolyard natural areas with native tree, shrub and herbaceous species typically found in Michigan forests, so classes can observe these without taking a field trip.
Summer Forestry Teacher Institute ~ June 18-22, 2012
Both the 2011-2012 and the 2012-2013 groups of teachers participated in the 5-day institute that took place June 18-22 on Belle Isle. The institute included an overnight stay at Hawk Woods Nature Center in Auburn Hill, MI. A wide of presenters participated in the institute from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Technological University, University of Michigan, Michigan Forest Association, Hardwoods of Michigan Sawmill, and Greening of Detroit.
For more information, contact:
Joan Chadde, Project Manager
Center for Science & Environmental Outreach at Michigan Tech University
Houghton, MI
Phone: 906.487.3341
Email: jchadde@mtu.edu
Mike Mansour, Director
Hawk Woods Nature Center
Auburn Hills, MI
Phone: 248.370.9353
Email: mmansour001@comcast.net
Mike Reed, Manager
Belle Isle Nature Zoo
Detroit, MI
Phone: 313.852.4056
Email: mreed@dzs.org
|
