Elmwood School Forest Property Recommendations

Presented By Forestry and Wildlife

Class 2012-13

Original School Forest

Original Property Advantages:

More timber value with pine plantation, bottomland hardwoods, northern hardwoods and better tree diversity

Recreational options with snowmobile trail Nursing home resident may access with improved trails Currently owned by district- no hassle to trade, etc. Maintain historical aspect with work from previous years.

Original property disadvantages

• Unknown ownership for odd parcel• Next to old dump site, (contamination?).• Located near highway 72, danger to kids.• No access to the Eau Galle River.• Farther away from the school.• Needs work on trails and forest clean up.• Flood Plain could challenge new tree plantings.

The Village Property

Village Property Advantages:

Possible community walking trail from assisted living through Elmwood

Learning experience with bridge/other projects

Closer, less travel distanceMaintain shed with tools nearbyMore learning opportunities with

river, like taking water samples and learning about fish

Almost one more acre of land

Village Property Disadvantages:

Need permission to cross other people’s land.

It is in a flood plain.Eau Galle River divides property.May need to build a bridge.Sediment deposits due to seasonal

floodingPotential costs with bridge

maintenanceConcrete waterway needs to be

assessed for liability/maintenance

Team Proposal: Land Agreement-

• Written contract between village and school– Describes how land is used– Registers village land as a school forest– Village still retains ownership of the forest– Both sides have right to back out of the contract.

Land AgreementDownsides

Need village permission to make changes

Could lose user rights More land to manage

Benefits Saves money due to

transfers Saves time for classes

with nearby property Keep original forest More land options for

education Increased biodiversity

Funding Possibilities– EPA Environmental Justice Grants• $23 million to 1,253 community-based organizations

– Advancing Informal STEM learning Grants• 34 awards for $20 million in 2013

– Fund for Teachers Professional Development Grants• $5,000-$10,000

– Wisconsin Environmental Education Board

Possible Partnerships

– Village of Elmwood– Elmwood FFA and Area 4-H Clubs– Pierce County Land Conservation Department– Wisconsin DNR– Genesis– Welcome Home Assisted Living– Countryside Cooperatives– Elmwood Rod & Gun– New forest institute– Earth Partnerships for schools

Any Questions??