Oneka Elementary in Hugo establishes school forest

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Oneka Elementary in Hugo establishes school forest
(Released March 8, 2012)

Oneka Elementary School in Hugo has designated the 25 acres of old field and wetland surrounding their school as the Oneka School Forest, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The forest consists of remnant 300-year-old bur oaks, planted native tree and prairie species, bluebird houses, a large wetland, a boardwalk and paved trails on which students traverse via bike or foot in their daily commute to school. Plans are being formed to engage more teachers to take classes outdoors.

“Our teachers and school forest committee are excited to start taking students outdoors as a regular part of instruction,” said fifth grade teacher Abbi Case, who has been an integral catalyst for the school forest. She found it easy to get fellow teachers, staff, and local community members and businesses to support the site.

The DNR’s School Forest Program supports schools that want to use forests and outdoor spaces as an outdoor classroom to teach core subjects such as math, science, writing, geography, physical education and art. The school will now work with DNR foresters and school forest staff to advance the site to meet the school’s educational needs.

Established in 1949, the School Forest Program was created to help schools connect children with their local environment and natural resources. Today, it’s just as important to address that need. Current trends suggest that children are becoming less connected to nature, as reflected in rising rates of overweight children, more time in front of electronic screens and devices, and rising parental perceptions of community danger. Several recent studies support what teachers of yesterday have always known: learning outdoors aids in cognitive, physical, emotional and social development.

More information about the School Forest Program is available online: http://www.mndnr.gov/schoolforest