Primary Project:
Primary Project Install Native, Warm Season Prairie Expertise – Pheasants Forever, Inc. Funding – Allegan County Pheasants Forever Labor/Equipment – Donation, Allegan Cty. PF Restore Wetland Quality in Pond Expertise – Ducks Unlimited, Allegan Cty. Cons. Dist. Labor/Equipment – JCI, Inc., Ecology Students Additional Minor Projects at Schuttmat Property Removal of Garlic Mustard and Honeysuckle Contingent upon/Compatible with development plan
Curricular Aims:
Curricular Aims General Ed Science Elective Earth Science – defunct A/P, S.O., ect. are Honors courses Hands On, Outdoor Opportunity
Additional Uses:
Additional Uses Outdoor Classroom Elementary and Middle School Use Public Recognition Saline High School Project Excellence in Education Award Recognition Additional Grant Monies
Biological Benefits:
Biological Benefits Wetland habitat viable for nesting, feeding. Diversity of insects, plants Cleansing of High School surface water before entrance into Rabbit River Mitigation of periodic flood waters Wetlands are sponges
Financial Benefits:
Financial Benefits No mowing No fertilizer Self-sustaining Free “labor” in Ecology class Living Textbook Process of restoration Results and benefits to environment
Concerns and Solutions:
Concerns and Solutions “Short Term” Appearance Communication is Key Pictorial Signage Front-Page Article in Transcript Press Release (Sentinel, Herald, GR Press?) Communication with Neighbors Actively meet with neighbors to share plan Summer, 2010 No destruction of property Actually improve hydrology
Next Steps & Time Table:
Next Steps & Time Table RoundUp #1 – Late May, 2010 RoundUp #2 – Late September, 2010 RoundUp #3 – Early April, 2011 Till Ground & Plant Prairie – May, 2011 Prairie Established – May, 2013 (??)