“Americans must address the growing need for bonds between nature and children to improve the health and well-being of both.”
Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

UPCOMING EVENTS (Click here for more details)
May 28th: Garlic Mustard Pull (2:30-4:30 pm)
June 30th: Advisory Mtg and Draft Site Plan Reveiw (6-8pm)

PROJECT RESOURCES
Download a Powerpoint Presentation about the Como Woodland Project (3 MB)
Download a PDF about the Como Woodland Project (2 MB)
View the DRAFT SITE PLAN created by the Metropolitan Design Center
Fall 2007 Events
SPAS Como Park Bird Habitat Analysis: Analysis | Tables | Route Map
Draft Site Plans from City of Saint Paul: Plan 1 | Plan 2 | Plan 3 | Plan Mtg Summary
Updated Draft Site Plan from City of Saint Paul (most current)

PROJECT OVERVIEW
 The District 10 Environment Committee and the Saint Paul Audubon Society are working on a proposal for a woodland restoration and “outdoor classroom” project focused on the wooded area in Como Park south of Horton and just east of Hamline Avenues.

For the past several years, we have been working in this area with the St. Paul Parks Division’s EcoPartners staff on trash pickup and removal of buckthorn and illegal BMX bike jumps. We recently began to formulate ideas about taking advantage of the site’s natural and historic features for environmental education purposes.


~ Restoring an Urban Forest ~
~ Restoring Local History ~
~ Restoring a Child's Sense of Wonder ~
~ Restoring Connections with Nature ~

Project goals

  • Improve native species diversity in woodland
  • Restore historic features
  • Increase stormwater retention
  • Improve student understanding of environmental science
  • Improve stewardship behaviors

Project Activities

  • Remove invasive species
  • Conduct biological survey
  • Replant native species
  • Restore historic feature and adapt into meeting place
  • Build trails
  • Install information posts
  • Develop educational program available to teachers online
  • Involve students and teachers in process

Project models

  • Valley Branch Environmental Education Center
    Formerly Belwin Outdoor Classroom
    (St. Paul Public Schools)
  • Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary
    (Minneapolis Parks Department)

 

Benefits of place-based learning

  • Helps compliance with new MN Academic Standards for Science
  • Helps students internalize learning
  • Helps students bond with their local environment and their community
  • Can improve student behavior

A forest of native plants

  • Provides habitat for native wildlife
  • Is less costly to maintain
  • Has educational uses
  • Can be a place to reconnect to natural world in the heart of the city

Proposed outdoor classroom features

  • 2,930 feet of trails
  • 50 numbered posts that correspond with online lesson plans
  • Joyce Kilmer Fireplace “Dutch Ovens” will be restored and adapted into a meeting place and story circle

PROJECT FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
 Elmer L. and Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation
Audubon Minnesota
City of St. Paul
Minnesota Native Plant Society
St. Paul Audubon Society

PROJECT IN-KIND SUPPORTERS
City of St. Paul Park and Recreation Department - EcoPartners
District 10 Community Council - Environment Committee
Ramsey Conservation District
Como Woodland Advisory Committee
Como Park Senior High School
Minnesota Ornithological Union
University of Minnesota - Metropolitan Design Center, Ecology Club, B2REU