Showing posts with label schoolyard naturalization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label schoolyard naturalization. Show all posts

Friday, June 11, 2010

Earl Beatty’s Scientific Experiment!

What are those orange fences for? And how long will they be there? The answer lies in the hard-packed soil of Earl Beatty's slowly disappearing playing field. Despite proper installation, the small field at the back of the school couldn't take last winter's lack of snow cover and the frequent pounding of many happy feet. What to do - and should it be a replacement of the same?

The answer is, maybe not. So the test plots were born in the early morning of June 4th, 2010. The plots include different types of grass seed/sod with a protective layer underneath. The entire field is being watered in the evenings each day. The fence will help the plots get established, and will remain for four months.

Then, let the games begin! Let us see which area stands up the best to the heavy use our little field can give. We need every one’s help in recording and observing accurate results – fences need to stay until the end of September…and everyone can assist with observations throughout the Fall and then in the Spring of 2011 until June.

Thank you for your participation in this…I’m certain we all look forward to key results and answers to our disappearing field.

Ms. L. Ordubegian, Ms. Boudreau, Ms. Wallace, Ms. Laporte and Mr. Travers

The test area, June 4th, 2010.

The first test plot.
All three test plots.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

April 22, 2010: Earth Day at Earl Beatty

Wednesday, April 22nd marks the 20th anniversary of Earth Day in Canada. Earl Beatty students will be participating in a variety of in-class and school-wide activities. The entire EcoTeam will be involved in a tree planting ceremony on the south side of our school. Two tulip trees will be planted in our community. The tulip tree, also known as the Yellow Poplar, is native to parts of Ontario and is known for its height, it being the second-tallest in North America (second only to the Giant Sequoia). Tulip trees can reach heights of 45 metres and can live up to 300 years so Earl Beatty can enjoy the shade and beauty of these trees for years to come!

Links:

Toronto.com: Celebrating Earth Day in Toronto

Ministry of Natural Resources: Ontario’s Plant a Tree Challenge: The Tulip Tree

The Tulip Tree: Info at Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry site