Rice Lake Elementary Nature Area

Goal: Utilizing this unique natural place; students, teachers and community members are given the opportunity to mature from awareness and appreciation to ultimately developing a lifelong commitment to preserving and protecting their surroundings, their environment, the earth.

Teachers take their students to walk through nature fall, winter and spring. They can observe close-up the change of fall leaves, the individuality of snowflakes and watch birds return in the spring. The children become aware and learn to appreciate their natural surroundings.

Description & Map Click on picture to get the history of Rice Lake School and site.

The 55 acres of Rice Lake Elementary contain a unique biological environment where three native ecological communities intersect - wetland, prairie and oak savanna.

Wetlands: Student planting projects, family activities and resources.

Osprey Nesting Platform: The story and pictures of the nest platform completion and links to resources.Watch for ospreys at Rice Lake.

Prairie: Student planted prairie. Come enjoy the beauty.

Oak Savanna: The perfect habitat for Eastern Bluebirds.

 

Uses

Rice Lake's nature area is a great place for students and teachers to observe signs of wildlife, weather and enjoy the natural beauty of our environment. Teachers have the opportunity to extend their entire curriculum throughout this outdoor classroom. Math, science, social studies, language arts and reading, and art can be enhanced through a variety of activities. Some examples are:

examine animal tracks and other signs of animals

bird feeding and watching

pond studies

sketching landscapes

study plants, wetlands, prairies

calculate weekly average snow fall

creative writing about a special place observed over time

 

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Future Projects

The school has many dreams for the future of the Nature Area. We would like to continue the restoration of plants to increase native bio-diversity, extend prairie planting, build an amphitheater for outdoor classes, regular maintenance to signs, bird boxes and planted areas.

How to Help

Contact Rice Lake Elementary (763) 792-5700 or email individual staff members. (See RLE Homepage.)

Donate:

Time: Volunteer to help with nature walks, planning projects, planting, maintaining gardens, bird houses.

Skills and knowledge: Gardening expertise, grant writing skills, planning skills, tools and skills to repair bird houses, nature signs, future building.

Finances/materials: Grant writing, donations of money, materials, tree/plant material, binoculars, field guides, books.

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Resources and further information

School Nature Area Project

Cornell Feeder Watch

Raptor Center Highway to the Tropics. Watch Ospreys migrate to Minnesota and the Tropics via the internet.

National Wildlife Federation Publisher of Ranger Rick. Great resources for families and children. See also "Action in Your Backyard" and People.

MN Department of Natural Resources Look for the resources for building bird feeders, boxes, landscaping for wildlife.

SEEK MN Environmental Education Resources

Nature Smart A Family Guide to Nature by Stan Tekiela and Karen Shanberg

Yahooligans! Animals

Earth Day activities in community and home. "Earth Day"actions should be year-round. Check these sites to see what you can do.

Wargo Nature Center, April 24, 1999

:"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can." Sydney Smith

If you have questions or comments, mailto:pandrzejewski@isd12.org

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Date last updated: 05/20/05