CHIEF TARHE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NATURE TRAIL Lancaster, OH “Where all paths lead to learning.” An Ohio Division of Wildlife “Wild School Site” 2004

HISTORY OF THE NATURE TRAIL ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED IN 1976 BY BILLY BOYER (PRINCIPAL) AND SHIRLEY WASEM (PRINCIPAL) USED AS AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM AND FIELD TRIP LOCATION UNTIL 1983 THE FIVE ACRE PLOT OF LAND WAS DONATED TO LANCASTER CITY SCHOOLS BY CY FULTON IN THE EARLY 1960’s. THE TRAIL HAS BEEN PERIODICALLY USED SINCE THE 80’s. YEARS OF NEGLECT HAD DETERIORATED THE TRAIL UNTIL THIS YEAR!

HOW DID THE RESTORATION PROJECT COME ABOUT? THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OFFERS $ GRANTS TO SCHOOLS WHO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION MR. KNIGHT WROTE THE GRANT AND TARHE RECEIVED IT SOON AFTER NEXT, A PLAN WAS PUT INTO PLACE TO INVOLVE EVERY CHILD, PARENT, AND COMMUNITY MEMBER TO HELP RESTORE THE TRAIL

THE PLAN STEP 1- CLEAR THE TRAIL- – WITH MR. KNIGHT’S CHAIN SAW, 310 STUDENTS, AND THE TEACHERS HELP, WE CLEARED TWO DUMP TRUCK LOADS OF DEAD TREES AND STICK OFF OF THE TRAIL!

THE PLAN (CONT) STEP 2- CREATING THE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY –Mr. Knight took part of this upon himself to clear an area in the woods. The area is approximately a 50 yard radius. –Leaves were cleared, trees trimmed and removed, and wild life clover and grass were planted.

THE PLAN (cont) STEP 3- BUILDING BIRD BLINDS –Mr. Knight and the children constructed two bird blinds with benches to allow children to sit behind to view birds and other wildlife. –The blinds are made from treated wood and are 10’ long by 10’ high.

THE PLAN STEP 4- Planting flowers, trees, and mounting bird houses and feeders. –All of the children helped plant 45 white pine trees in and around the wildlife sanctuary –In addition, the children planted wildflower seeds along the trail. –The final procedure in this was mounting bird feeders and bird houses. We had several bird house donations: Mrs. Dow 9 bluebird houses Kyle Hartman 8 sparrow houses Tony and Zach Gompf 2 Woodpecker houses John Halstead- 1 finch feeder Other feeders and houses were purchased with our grant money

FINISHING TOUCHES IDENTIFY TREES AND SHRUBS AND REPLACE MARKERS ALONG THE TRAIL. CREATE CURRICULUM GUIDE CREATE A BROCHURE TO HAND OUT AND NOW……… THE FINAL PRODUCT!!!!!!!