TITLE: Centennial Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site (Centennial students
will suggest and choose a name for the site in April, 1996.)
PROJECT DIRECTOR(S): Rita Klemin, Principal
Sharon Maas, Centennial Grade 4 Teacher
OWLS COMMITTEE:
Stephanie Scott, Centennial Levels of Service Resource Teacher
Joan Swanson, Centennial Grade 4 Teacher
Robert Stroh, Centennial Head Custodian
Doug Emerson, Centennial Parent
Janis Klein, Centennial Parent
Stephanie Sehn, Centennial Student
Samantha Olson, Centennial Student
Erik Hokenstad, Centennial Student
Stan Halling, Hughes Jr. High Science Teacher
Jim Eslinger, BPS Buildings and Grounds
RESOURCE PERSONNEL:
John Dockter, ND Game and Fish Department
Greg Smith, Bismarck Parks and Recreation District
Paul Blumhardt, BismarckCity Forester
Mark Van Horn, NDSU Extension Service
Lee Klapprodt, ND Water Commission
GOALS:
Our goal is to develop features on our OWLS site which will attract wildlife,
such as birds, butterflies, and small animals for study by Centennial students
and members of our community to increase their appreciation for wildlife,
develop an understanding of the dependency of wildlife on specific habitats,
and comprehend the necessity to protect and/or restore habitats in order
to increase wildlife diversity and numbers.
SITE LOCATION AND FEATURES:
The Centennial OWLS site is located on the northwest corner of the Centennial
school grounds (see site map and site drawing). It occupies about one acre.
The site is presently bare ground with a fence on the north and west sides
and a row of young pine trees to the east. Features will include native
grasses, a pond, a woodland, wildflower garden, and shrubland. Students,
teachers, parents, and community volunteers will construct the features.
WILDLIFE RESOURCE CENTER LOCATION:
Centennial Media Center - curricular materials and references Bismarck Public
Schools Library Media Center
SITE USE:
The Centennial Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site will be used by Centennial
school students K-6 during the school day and by community children and
adults on weekends and summers.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING PLAN:
Research different birdhouses tor different species of birds. This will
be in the classrooms with direction by the classroom teachers.
Teacher in-service presented by John Dockter of North Dakota Game and fish
Department. The teachers will learn lessons which will help them use the
OWLS site in connection with their classroom instruction.
In-service by Stan Halling, Bismarck Public Schools' science mentor program
and middle school science instructor, to help teachers to use the OWLS site
along with their classroom instruction to identify small animal species
and habitats, different birds and their habitats, different butterflies
and their habits, and native grasses, flowers, shrubs, and trees.
SITE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE:
Fall, 1995
- Centennial staff and students recycle - money for trees
- Bake sale fundraiser for trees
- OWLS proposal guidelines received from ND Game
and Fish Department
Winter, 1995
- Formed OWLS Committee
- Contacted other community resource people
Spring, 1996
- Students, teachers, and committee develope first draft
of site plan
- Fundraiser - popcorn sale
- Fundraiser - talent show
- Fundraiser - recycling by Centennial students and staff
Spring, 1996
- Complete final draft of OWLS plan and send to John Dockter, ND Game and
Fish Department OWLS coordinator
- Dedication of OWLS site
- Grade site and develop pond
- Students plant trees, shrubs and vines
- Seed area with prairie grass mix
- Plant Virginia creeper
- Plant Blue spruce trees
- Plant Lilac trees
- Plant wildflowers along fence
Fall, 1996
- Place rocks and boulders
- Plant shrubs and trees
- Plant wildroses and cactus
- Develop pond area
- Plant cattail, bulrush, and sedge brought in from area ponds
Spring, 1997
- Begin development of open picnic areas
- Plant wildflowers for butterflies and hummingbirds
- Plant shrubs and trees (Chokecherries, Juneberries,
Buffaloberries)
- Begin walking path areas
- Build birdhouses
Fall, 1997
- Continue work on walking paths
- Plant shrubs and trees
- Put in birdbaths
Spring, 1998
- Construct picnic tables and benches along paths
- Plant shrubs and trees
BUDGET: (Funded by OWLS and Centennial fundraising projects.)
| Prairie grass mix - no charge | No Charge | |
| 40 Virginia Creeper @ 10 for $84.95 | $339.80 | |
| 325 Blue Spruce from ND Forest Service | No Charge | |
| 200 Lilacs @ 100 for $290 | 580.00 | |
| 2 hours Grading of area and pond @ $75/hr. | 150.00 | |
| Tetra 32 milt pond liner (for 14' x 22' x 2' pond) | 444.50 | |
| 20 pkg. Wildflower seeds @ $5/pkg. | 100.00 | |
| 1 hour Tractor for plowing areas for trees @ $50/hr. | 50.00 | |
| 50 Chokecherry trees @ $.50/each | 25.00 | |
| 50 Buffaloberry trees @ $.50/each | 25.00 | |
| 50 Juneberry trees @ $.50/each | 25.00 | |
| 1 ton Sandstone boulders @ $207/ton | 207.00 | |
| Total | $1,946.30 |
Submitted by: Sharon Maas