In the summer of 2013, Appleview students pulled garlic mustard from the banks of Rogue River by 12 Mile Road.

Students filled twenty trash bags with garlic mustard, a common invasive species in ecosystems throughout Michigan. 

In the fall of 2014, we plan to fill this ditch with native grasses and wildflowers. So that storm water will be cleaned and cooled before entering Nash Creek and will replenish the groundwater table.

We are in need of volunteers to help with this planting project. Please contact Mrs. Blackall if interested at Sue.blackall@staff.spartaschools.org.

Cutting Down Brush from the Prairie

This March, after the seeding of the prairie was completed by Mrs. Blackall’s third graders and Mrs. McKinley’s biology classes, some biology students took time to cut down trees and brush from the prairie. Armed with hand saws and herbicide, the students cut down both unwanted brush and invasive species. By doing this, they kept the prairie from being overtaken by non-native species while also providing new habitats for wildlife such as the endangered Grasshopper Sparrow, which relies on native prairies for survival. The classes will continue to work to restore native grasses and wildflowers to create a beautiful prairie ecosystem at our school. 

Seeding the Prairie

If you happened to pass the Sparta High School on March 15th you may have seen a herd of third graders and teenagers wandering across the school"s prairie.  At first glance it may seem a bit strange that these two age groups were mingling, but it's not so odd once you know why. As many of you know, the prairie was burned about a year ago to rid it of invasive species.  In an attempt to restore it to a beautiful native prairie ecosystem, Mrs. Spaans, Mrs. McKinley, and Mrs. Blackall teamed together and had their students spread native grass seeds across the prairie.  So while it may have looked a bit weird to see those two groups waltzing across the hillside, it was for a good cause, helping the environment. 

Water as needed

Lately, our 3rd grade students teamed up with Mrs. McKinley's biology class and Mrs. Wyman's highschoolers to plant wild flowers by the rocks at Sparta High School.

Our Sparta Village planted 31 maple trees along W. Spartan drive, heading up to the high school.

I am looking for some interested volunteers to help water the newly planted trees and wild flowers throughout the summer.  You can contact me via email at sue.blackall@staff.spartaschools.org or at 887-8771.



Kids preparing the prairie before being seeded.



3rd Graders Performing Prairie Presentations

The purpose of the Prairie presentations is to teach the anwers to the following questions:
1. Why should we restore native habitats?
2.  How do native plants clean drinking water?
3.  Why are we restoring a prairie at Sparta High School?
4.  How can you get involved to help?

Here are some picture of our kids in action at Sparta Senior Center on May 10, 2012.

Pictures of Prescribed Burn 4/7/2012

 Special thank you to Sparta and Kent City Fire Departments, Tessa Tape, Cardno-JFNew, Paul Rogers, Steve Cross, for having a prescribed burn.  The praire could not happen without it!  (Photographs by Wendall Wilson, photographer, and firemen's meal from McDonalds).