A previously wild patch of forest next to Eagle View elementary resembles a landscaped section of park after being given some TLC by students.

With rustic wooden fences set up and pathways created, students planted a number of native species at the end of March, lending an almost professional look to the forest garden.

Spurred on and helped by Habitat Acquisition Trust land care co-ordinator Todd Carnahan and staff, students learned the names of the plants, how to help protect them and see them flourish.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 lots of opportunity in that space to run around as well as let things grow and flourish,B次元官网网址� says parent advisory council green committee chair Gillian Petrini, who spearheaded the project.

B次元官网网址淚t also fosters a different kind of play. ItB次元官网网址檚 unpredictable and thereB次元官网网址檚 so many different parts B次元官网网址�  natural materials are the best resources you can find.B次元官网网址�

The project, started last September, involved children in various grades, with Grade 5 members of the schoolB次元官网网址檚 24-member Green Team leading the replanting process.

B次元官网网址淢r. De Nat (Eagle View principal Brent) calls it out naturescape place,B次元官网网址� says team member Hailey Lembcke. She adds the next set of plantings will likely include ferns.

Fellow Green teamer Megan Duraan enjoyed how the project involved younger students and older ones.

B次元官网网址淲e first put down mulch, then the younger kids dug the holes for the plants,B次元官网网址� she says.

Asked if she has a favourite among the native plantings added to the forest, team member Jenna Peterson says the holly.

B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 actually called Oregon grape,B次元官网网址� she says by way of clarification, noting as well that the plant wonB次元官网网址檛 produce edible fruit. B次元官网网址淚 like all the plants and how pretty itB次元官网网址檚 going to look.B次元官网网址�

De Nat says the project helps teach students to look at this previously wild outdoor play area as a sustainable ecosystem.

B次元官网网址淚t teaches them respect for property and respect for nature,B次元官网网址� he says.

By participating in the development of the area, B次元官网网址渢hey learn to take ownership in it.B次元官网网址�

He sees the garden being a lasting part of the school grounds. The hope, he says, is to enhance it in future with such elements as benches and arbors.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be like a personal garden and itB次元官网网址檚 going to be constantly changing.B次元官网网址�

editor@goldstreamgazette.com