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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
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Elmwood School Forest Property Recommendations Presented By Forestry and Wildlife Class 2012-13
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.
Village Property Advantages: • Possible community walking trail from assisted living through Elmwood • Learning experience with bridge/other projects • Closer, less travel distance • Maintain shed with tools nearby • More 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 flooding • Potential costs with bridge maintenance • Concrete 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 Agreement Benefits • Saves money due to transfers • Saves time for classes with nearby property • Keep original forest • More land options for education • Increased biodiversity Downsides • Need village permission to make changes • Could lose user rights • More land to manage
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