Trail Development Volume II - Laserfiche WebLink

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il.l!/.....6'~ Uj ".t:. .).....rrw..'-' J1J c..u A.-H.I'''' v,....(;../u..,u L..~L~.{n...i.O \...t:.J"ua \n4&Ooa_... 1"';;'1 ACREAGE . Approximately 52 acres; up to 15 acres are being considered for construaian of the District ~ new elementary sdlool and additional acreage could be sold CHARACTER OF SITE - . The ELe encompasses a wid~ diversity of plant and animal species and natzual environments within its boundaries. It includes ponds, wetlands, a mature oak forest, aspen forest, and stands of sproce, pine, and mixed hardwoods. Students have helped to re-establish prairie plant species on one acre of the site, .. and e:x.pan.sion of the prairie along with other planned plaruings will further enhance theELC STUDENT USE Last year, high 'sclzool students spent over 14,000 hours at the ELC (As a classroom it offen unmatdzable resources with virtually no operating costs. ) Sdentific field researclJ opportunities erist far beyond those typically available at tlte high sdloolleveLJWith only a handful of on-site field research facilities in existence at our nation ~ public schools, the ELC has enabled the high school natUral science departments to become leaden in innovative student research activity. 17le ELC is also used errensively by teachers and students in other jisOplines, including the arts, English, and mathematics. A number of elementary school groups have participated in field trips to the ELC, with high ~ school students often serving as their teachers and guides. Much greater use by elementary srudents will occur in coming yean. SITE DEVELOPMENT A number of outdoor classrooms with attraetive bendl seatin& each one a distinctive pan of its immediate surroundings, have been built by wor/cen from tile Tree Trust. A system of trails has been established and will be improved for wheelchair access and greater durability. WUdlife research activities mala use of a radio telemetry tower, and a wealth of other opponuniries are envisioned for enhancing the educational, habitat and open space value of the site. Most site improvements to dale have occurred in tIle western portion of the ELC, closest to the high schooL 71re eastern ponion, where much field research takes place, . is the area considered for either elementary school constrUction or sale for residential development. . FINANCIAL SlfIFPORT _ Development of tIle ELC lIas been carried out so far with a minimum of cost to tIle Distria. GrantS and tire procee4s from tree sales have supponed most of the development activity. 11fE FUTURE The ELC is envisioned as an environmental resource for the entire community. It is a vital addition to the Be/win, Warner, and Wilder environmental education areas, wlaida are at capacity now and unable to accomodate tile luzn.ds-on activities that the ELC offers students. Preservation of the entire acreage will allow public use of the ELC for reaeation and natUre appredarion without diminishing its value as a environmentalleaming area. 50 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I