Pike Lake School's Forest

The Pike Lake School Forest started seven years ago when Bob Hedburg saw some land, which was tax forfeit property. He and Gail Becker (former principal of Pike Lake, Caribou Lake, and Munger Elementary Schools), went to the St. Louis County land department and convinced them to donate the land to the Proctor Schools. Until recently, the land basically sat there. Tom Hedin, a Pike Lake 4th Grade teacher, became interested in this project. With his interest and the help of Fleta Carol, the school received a $12,000 grant. With this grant, many things were purchased such as books, snowshoes, compasses, and native plants. This grant also provided for trail development and wetland restoration.

Last year a group of 4th grade boys created boxes to use as portable desks. Students can use these boxes when they are in the school forest for writing projects and other activities. If they are tired, they can sit on their boxes.

The Pike Lake School Forest Planning Committee meets monthly with Mr. Hedin. This committee of parents, students, and community members work together to plan projects for our forest.

Trail work was completed by area Boy Scouts. Alex and Ben Mickelson chose the Pike Lake School Forest as the site for their Eagle Scout Project.

Currently Pike Lake students are helping to develop an awesome School Forest. Thanks to Bob Waite (STS Supervisor, DNR) and his work crew, we now have a log shelter in the middle of our forest, a “classroom” where students can sit on logs while listening (if you listen) to the teacher. We also have a few trails called Predator Prey, Porcupine Trail, and Skull Bone Trail which were just developed. In December, we started clearing Skull Bone Trail in the freezing cold weather. Now we know how much weight a fallen tree can hold. Julie Mickelson found that out!

We want our forest to be a place where people can go and learn about wildlife and plants. We want to make our forest into a place where kids like us can have loads of fun. But we’re only 3 of the people that helped with these projects. You can help, too, by simply stopping by the Pike Lake School Forest and watering a tree. While you are visiting the forest, be sure not to litter. Leave our forest the way you found it!

By: Ana Gabres, Jaymie Burt and Casie Ecklund
Pike Lake Fifth Grade Student on Committee