Pollinator Seeding!

October 16, 2015 by Dan Jambor

On October 14th approximately 580 students at Otter Lake Elementary in White Bear Lake gathered outside the school for a program and to spread a pollinator seed mix - taking the next step in creating over 2.34 acres  of prairie habitat!  It was a full day with the students engaging in a classroom activity making milkweed seed balls, a program with music and speakers, hand broadcasting the seed mix, and then music and a dance to compact the seeds into the recently prepared soil.

This was the celebration and culmination of over a year of planning and preparation.  Numerous RCPF volunteers assisted in the planning as well as in preparing the seed mix, preparing materials for students to make milkweed balls in a classroom activity, and to assist with the students' broadcast seeding of the site.  We were honored by Representative Betty McCollum who kindly spoke to the group prior to the seeding.

We were grateful for the assistance of some members of the MN Lady Slippers Chapter!  Thom Green, a 4th grade teacher at Otter Lake, was instrumental in organizing the project and coordinating financing from various sources - including RCPF.  Principal Tim Schochenmaier provided strong support for the project which was key to getting this from concept to the day of seeding.  This was truly a group effort and we are excited to watch the site as Spring brings a transformation to prairie grasses and flowers.

Please see the following new articles:

http://www.twincities.com/2015/10/15/for-white-bear-lake-prairie-project-students-do-as-the-bison-do/

http://www.presspubs.com/white_bear/news/article_bef7e626-7788-11e5-8b6b-f33bde702ccd.html

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