Biology Students Improve Environment

While participating in a hands-on, project-based learning opportunity, individuals learned from National Forest Service personnel why some plants are considered noxious and what can be done to save the area’s native species.

Examining a sample of houndstongue, Joclyn Zook (10) listens to National Forest Service Officer Rylan Sprague explain how to identify the different types of invasive species. A few of the species affecting the Meadow Creek area, include common tansy, ox-eye daisy, hound’s tongue, yellow toadflax, Canada thistle, mullein and the rare plant they were trying to protect, the blood root. photo by Cody Cline

Madison Pankratz, staff

While learning about the impact of noxious weeds on the environment, science students went into the field and experienced first-hand the effect of noxious weeds and other invasive species.

Noxious weeds are species of plants not originally native to the area. The overpopulation of these weeds causes the native plant and animal species to diminish.

Kristin Wheaton’s biology and honors biology students teamed up with the National Forest Service to help stop the spreading problem.

At the start of the school day, students traveled up to the Meadow Creek Site in Vanocker Canyon where they spent the day pulling weeds, cutting seed heads and learning about the environment surrounding Sturgis and how to prevent the spread of noxious weeds.

After a picnic lunch, students finished their transects, a path along which they count and record occurrences of the species.

Later, the students went on an exploration walk, discovering new aspects of their local environment, before going on a scavenger hunt-type search for something called “George.” With no hints or help, students had to keep a close eye out for anything that could possibly be labeled “George.”

Madeline Hendriks (10) was the student who was lucky enough to spot “George” and receive extra-credit points.

According to Wheaton, engaging learners in their surroundings in this endeavor has yielded positive results.

“I feel that [the noxious weeds lab] has been a great success. When we first started, the area was a sea of yellow due to all of the tansy and now we are starting to see more diversity. Grasses are moving into the site, which is exciting,” Wheaton said. “Students also create an awareness and an appreciation for the site, which is a huge success, too.”

The noxious weed lab started in the fall of 2012. Since then the environment of the Meadow Creek Site has been impacted dramatically. In the beginning, the site was covered with many different species of noxious weeds, including common tansy, mullein and ox-eye daisy. As of today, the noxious weeds have started to thin out.

Wheaton said, “There are far less tansy and mullein on the site.”

Not only did this lab impact the environment, but it also affected the students involved.

Sierra Fischer (10) said, “I feel that we did something beneficial for our environment, and overall, I really enjoyed the lab and the outcome.”

“I feel like I did quite a bit for the environment and I thought overall the lab was hard, but was worth it and went great,” Madison Ruff (10) said.

To conclude the day of hard work, students were asked to share their experience in one word. Many students used words such as beneficial, helpful or inspiring to describe this experience.

To learn more about this topic, contact the National Forest Service, local Extension Office or the Department of Agriculture.