The Onalaska smokestack looms over Carlisle Lake in this May 2010 photo. A new effort will enhance a trail around the lake and will involve metal shop students in creating signs to label native species near the former mill pond.
Students in Onalaska will be working on restoring and creating an interpretive trail around Carlisle Lake, in addition to other environmental projects for next year.
The school district will receive a $5,000 to support the work as part of an environmental education service learning project. The funding comes through a project from the Teaching Research Institute at Western Oregon University and is part of a larger U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant.
Onalaska science teachers Jonny Garcia and Robin Schmidt will lead the students in the effort.
“I am so pleased to be able to participate in a grant that encourages local community engagement and also will have a real impact on a substantial local community environment,” Garcia said.
Students in grades 4 through 12 will be working on various projects including creating interpretive sign posts in metal shop classes.
“This is an outstanding opportunity for the community of Onalaska to come together to create an educational and year-round trail for the school and community to utilize,” said Bernadette Hayden, the the high school science club president, who worked on the grant.
Students will also have an opportunity to take the classroom outdoors by identifying and researching various plant species near the lake.
“Since the area around Carlisle Lake contains many native, non-native and invasive species, students will have an introduction to these species,” Schmidt said.
Additionally, students will create and publish an electronic book about the natural history of Carlisle Lake.
“This project incorporates the community expertise, technology, and environmental science,” said Gregory Bellinger, who will work on the book for his senior project.
The Onalaska Alliance, a nonprofit organization that has taken ownership of the lake property, will manage the project.
“This project is a fun and interactive opportunity for the community to learn lake ecology and cultural history of the original mill site,” said Omroa Bhagwandin, the group’s president. “It meshes beautifully with our vision for the property.”
