Empty lot turned into a living classroom at Clarke High School

Many people these days are trying to give back to their planet by trying to be a little more “green.” What happens when people put their minds together and try to do something that will make it so a school could potentially become more eco efficient?

Brandi Boyd, Osceola FFA Advisor, with the help of others decided to turn a grassy lot on the school’s campus into a prairie. The idea was brought to Boyd’s attention by a school staff member, Jane Wargo; she thought it would be wonderful to save the school some money by not mowing the empty lot and turn the lot into a living classroom.

There was a lot of planning that went into this project. This has become a classroom project for multiple classes for Boyd. She is getting her Agronomy class and Environmental class involved this fall and in the spring she plans to involve her Horticulture class.

“As a teacher I want to give the students an opportunity to get involved in something positive and in a real world application. It’s a good experience for the kids,” stated Boyd.

Through Boyd and Wargo’s work they found grants and received money to make this a reality for Clarke High School. The grant they received is called the Iowa Living Road Grant; it was $1,400 to change the 2.5 acres from mowed grass into a native prairie and flowers. This outside area will give back what it has cost to put in, not only will the school be saving money, but it can also be used for an outside classroom, make the campus look a little prettier, and make the campus more environmentally friendly.

Students are cooperating with outside community members. Helga Offenberger from Iowa’s DNR has been helping to guide the project through each step. Ryan Rychnovsky is also helping to prepare the area for seeding.

This isn’t a one-year project. This fall they are going to burn all the grass that is in the 2.5 acre spot. Then this winter they are going to frost seed followed by an April top seed. Over the next three years they will have to mow the grass regularly, and re-seed to give it a fuller look, but after three years they will be able to let it grow naturally. The project team also plans to take native grass and flower plugs (which are like pre-grown flowers you may buy at the store) and set up different spots around the school with identification labels on them.