Clearview will be hosting a meeting Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. for community members interested in helping with the restoration of the Clearview Elementary School Forest.
The school is working with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which has proposed a 10-year plan to restore the forest.
Created in 1977, the Clearview Elementary School Forest consists of 34 acres on the south side of the school and eight acres on the north side.
The DNR’s plan and recommendations include things such as restoring the grassy area of the property to more of a natural prairie, cleaning out dead and diseased trees and removing invasive tree species.
While assessing the land, four species rare to this area were discovered; one tree, two birds and one snake, which makes the restoration of the forest even more important.
Clearview Teacher Andrea Coulter said the school’s dream is to get the forest to the point where students will be able to use it again, which includes creating walking trails and possibly ski trails.
The DNR has lessons and other opportunities for students to learn about the forest that Clearview will be able to take advantage of.
A $5,000 grant to help create a walking path has already been obtained, however the school is currently looking for additional funds for the project through either fundraising or grant writing.
Everyone with interest in the project is invited to attend the meeting, and anyone with special expertise is asked to come and share their knowledge.
For more information, contact Andrea Coulter at 320-743-2241 ext. 3618, or andrea.coulter@isd742.org.
