​by Gretchen Marshall
The Nels P. Evjue School Forest, owned by the Merrill Area Public Schools, recently received a WEEB (Wisconsin Environmental Education Board) grant and generous donations to add a windmill to their school forest property. The windmill generates the power to aerate the pond. Previously, the pond could not support fish life. With the aeration capability now in place, the pond is stocked with fish, and teachers have developed curriculum to support this project.

Recently I was able to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Pond Project. It was refreshing to hear students reflect on why the school forest is important to them and what they have learned at the forest.  Sixth grade students spent a portion of their day learning to fish and trying to catch the newly stocked fish. Once caught, the goal was to record the number and size (in centimeters) of each fish caught. For many of these students, it was their first time fishing. What a wonderful learning and recreational opportunity!

If you would like further information about the Merrill school forest or their Ponder the Pond Project, please contact Mary Wendorf at Mary.Wendorf@maps.k12.wi.us.