Theme: Exploring Wild
and Native Plants
Prairie Visions
Although our region was once covered with 18 million acres of
prairies, only one percent of those remain," explains White
Bear Lake, MN, school parent volunteer Anne Reich. "Our students
are used to seeing grasses in lawns, but had little clue about
the amazing beauty, diversity, and adaptations of grasses and
other native plants in a prairie ecosystem," she adds. So with
an eye toward creating a living learning laboratory and discovering
more about the state's history, a group of school parents, teachers,
and elementary students worked with an ecological consultant
to transform a lawn into a simulated prairie.
After a spring "sodbusting" party, students measured their
site, then researched native prairie grasses and forbes (nongrass
plants) before mapping out plantings. "We turned this into an
art project by assigning the fourth and fifth graders to construct
life-sized plant replicas using papier mache, cellophane, and
other art supplies," says Anne. "This helped us visualize how
things would look when full-grown and flowering," she adds.
While each student initially enjoyed the instant gratification
of planting prairie plant seedlings from a native plant nursery,
first graders now raise prairie seedlings in classroom GrowLabs.
But what would the neighbors say about such a project? Their
concerns about weeds or invasive plants prompted research and
discussion about the definition of "weeds," native species,
and so on, reports Anne. Students followed up by raising their
own native plants for a community plant sale, providing information
to help customers recognize the importance of using a diversity
of plants well adapted to local conditions.
"The prairie has provided a wonderful sanctuary where students
can reflect and write in journals about the life and interactions
they observe," says Anne. "Next year we hope to incorporate
more prairie literature and history, explore flowers and seed
dispersal, and focus on plant/animal interactions," she adds.
Note: There are many organizations located throughout much
of the midsection of the country who are concerned about the
loss of native prairies. Many of these groups assist schools
with prairie restoration or simulation projects. To find out
if any such resources or projects exist in your area, consider
contacting your regional botanic gardens, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, or similar agencies.
Author: Eve Pranis
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© 2008
National Gardening Association