As the Clearview Elementary School Forest restoration project continues through its second year, progress has been made in clearing out overgrown areas, including sections of cedar trees that need thinning and trimming. 

 

The work has left a lot of wood needing to be removed. Instead of hauling it all away, some of it is being used to raise money for the forest.

 

Student volunteers have helped gather, haul and stack the logs and branches. Adult volunteers have been busy making handmade crafts out of the pieces to sell to the community.

 

Ideas for a variety of wooden crafts were found and decided upon, and to date, bird feeders, trellises, snowpeople, pumpkins, owls, game boards, ornaments and sachets have been created mainly from the cedar, although some scotch pine has also been used.

 

There are also cedar rabbits for those looking to add to their Easter décor.

 

All money raised from the sale of the crafts goes back into Clearview Forest projects. Along with trails and educational areas for teachers and students to utilize as learning places, Clearview’s goal is to continue to use the forest for a variety of educational uses by creating an outdoor classroom right outside their door.

 

If interested in purchasing Clearview Forest crafts, contact the Clearview front office at 320-743-2241. Samples can be seen in the school’s front display case.