Wrap-up of Dedication of Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom
Written by Deb Robinson
Photos by Matt Schmitt
It was a fine Spring day as we gathered together students, teachers, Como Woodland Advisors, and dignitaries – all has assisted in bringing the CWOC project to fruition in one way or another and contributed to the project’s success. It was a day to celebrate the Dedication of the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom (CWOC) on May 20, 2015.
The day started early that morning when Jessica Malady’s Como Sr. HS Environmental Studies advanced placement class and their volunteer mentors arrived for their annual Field Day.
At 8:15, nine birding mentors from St. Paul Audubon Society and the Como Woodland Advisory Committee (CWAC) took the students and field mentors on a birding tour of the Como Woodland. In just one hour, 39 species of birds, including many spring warblers, were seen using the woodland habitat. After the birding tour, the students started their field studies in the woodland.
Around 11AM, just east of the Kilmer Fireplace, where a grassy hillside forms a natural amphitheater, a podium and chairs were being set up for the formal portion of the Dedication. Duke Addicks, a former CWAC member, played the Native American flute (as he had also done for the Kilmer Fireplace Rededication on May 19, 2011). Students and teachers from Murray Jr. HS and Great River School began arriving (120 in all) along with speakers, dignitaries, and well-wishers.
The seated dignitaries attending the Dedication were St. Paul City Councilmembers Russ Stark and Amy Brendmoen, former Councilmember (and CWOC advocate) Lee Helgen, State Representative Alice Hausman, and Ramsey County Commissioner Janice Rettman. Also attending (but not seated) were representatives from the DNR School Forest Program, Friends of Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County, Ramsey Conservation District, St. Paul Parks & Recreation Natural Resources Department, District 10 Community Council, Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and Minnesota State Lottery.
Our mc was Bryan Murphy, St. Paul City Landscape Architect and the author/designer of CWOC’s Master Plan. Bryan spoke about the decade-plus timeline for community driven CWOC project.
Kathy Korum, Deputy Director of St. Paul Parks and Recreation, spoke about the importance of the many partnerships that help care for the city park system.
Ellen Anderson, now the Executive Director of U of M Energy Transition Lab, was the State Senator that helped CWOC secure funding from the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund in 2009-10. She spoke in depth about her involvement in the LCCMR process, working with Como Woodland advocates during those years, and the impact that natural places have on our lives.
CWAC member, Deb Robinson, spoke about the St. Paul Audubon Society funded art/science workshops with Great River School students, which produced a beautiful new logo and educational poster for CWOC. Sharing the same time slot was a young Great River School student, Coretta Bieter, who spoke directly from her heart about what it meant to her personally to spend time in Como Woodland.
Our keynote speaker was Timothy Chase, award winning Murray Middle School science teacher (and long-time CWAC member). Tim spoke about how he has used the CWOC and other natural outdoor settings for environmental education and how it gets middle school students hooked on science.
When all the talking was done, volunteers from Murray Jr. HS, Great River School, Como Park Sr. HS, and well-wishers were invited to help plant a tree and take part in a Garlic Mustard Pull in the Como Woodland – a great ending to a great day, but just the beginning for the newly dedicated Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom.
More about CWOC dedication by Minnesota Lottery Blog: http://blog.mnlottery.com/blog/2015/05/21/167/como_woodland_outdoor_classroom_receives_formal_dedication
Photos by Matt Schmitt
It was a fine Spring day as we gathered together students, teachers, Como Woodland Advisors, and dignitaries – all has assisted in bringing the CWOC project to fruition in one way or another and contributed to the project’s success. It was a day to celebrate the Dedication of the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom (CWOC) on May 20, 2015.
The day started early that morning when Jessica Malady’s Como Sr. HS Environmental Studies advanced placement class and their volunteer mentors arrived for their annual Field Day.
At 8:15, nine birding mentors from St. Paul Audubon Society and the Como Woodland Advisory Committee (CWAC) took the students and field mentors on a birding tour of the Como Woodland. In just one hour, 39 species of birds, including many spring warblers, were seen using the woodland habitat. After the birding tour, the students started their field studies in the woodland.
Around 11AM, just east of the Kilmer Fireplace, where a grassy hillside forms a natural amphitheater, a podium and chairs were being set up for the formal portion of the Dedication. Duke Addicks, a former CWAC member, played the Native American flute (as he had also done for the Kilmer Fireplace Rededication on May 19, 2011). Students and teachers from Murray Jr. HS and Great River School began arriving (120 in all) along with speakers, dignitaries, and well-wishers.
The seated dignitaries attending the Dedication were St. Paul City Councilmembers Russ Stark and Amy Brendmoen, former Councilmember (and CWOC advocate) Lee Helgen, State Representative Alice Hausman, and Ramsey County Commissioner Janice Rettman. Also attending (but not seated) were representatives from the DNR School Forest Program, Friends of Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County, Ramsey Conservation District, St. Paul Parks & Recreation Natural Resources Department, District 10 Community Council, Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and Minnesota State Lottery.
Our mc was Bryan Murphy, St. Paul City Landscape Architect and the author/designer of CWOC’s Master Plan. Bryan spoke about the decade-plus timeline for community driven CWOC project.
Kathy Korum, Deputy Director of St. Paul Parks and Recreation, spoke about the importance of the many partnerships that help care for the city park system.
Ellen Anderson, now the Executive Director of U of M Energy Transition Lab, was the State Senator that helped CWOC secure funding from the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund in 2009-10. She spoke in depth about her involvement in the LCCMR process, working with Como Woodland advocates during those years, and the impact that natural places have on our lives.
CWAC member, Deb Robinson, spoke about the St. Paul Audubon Society funded art/science workshops with Great River School students, which produced a beautiful new logo and educational poster for CWOC. Sharing the same time slot was a young Great River School student, Coretta Bieter, who spoke directly from her heart about what it meant to her personally to spend time in Como Woodland.
Our keynote speaker was Timothy Chase, award winning Murray Middle School science teacher (and long-time CWAC member). Tim spoke about how he has used the CWOC and other natural outdoor settings for environmental education and how it gets middle school students hooked on science.
When all the talking was done, volunteers from Murray Jr. HS, Great River School, Como Park Sr. HS, and well-wishers were invited to help plant a tree and take part in a Garlic Mustard Pull in the Como Woodland – a great ending to a great day, but just the beginning for the newly dedicated Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom.
More about CWOC dedication by Minnesota Lottery Blog: http://blog.mnlottery.com/blog/2015/05/21/167/como_woodland_outdoor_classroom_receives_formal_dedication
