Education
Photo courtesy of Cara Ianni Stilly, Snohomish Task Force
Students of Chris Espeland’s classroom learn how to plant and grow native plants from seed.
Every year the WACD Plant Materials Center provides native seeds to the Stilly Snohomish Task Force. Cara Ianni from the Stilly Snohomish Task Force works with local 5th grade elementary teachers to develop an environmental learning opportunity for the students. This hands-on learning opportunity not only allows students to meet the state requirements for science but this program also helps the Silly Snohomish Task Force Education fulfill their program goals.
This program starts in February and runs several weeks. During this time, students learn about the different types of native vegetation as well as how to grow the species from seed. The project also focused on various experiments including varying soil moisture and nutrients as well as competition with invasive species. Once the plants are grown, the students help repot them at the Stilly Snohomish Task Force Nursery. The plants are grown out until they are needed at restoration sites around the county.