Weed Free Schools Kids vs' Invasives What a concept

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Weed Free SchoolsKids vs. Invasives(What a
concept!)
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WSWCD Partnered with Valley Students in 2006
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Snowshoe, Cottonwood, Teeland, and Wasilla High
Participated
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Perimeter Fence-lines were Problem spots

• The highest concentrations of invasive weeds such
  as purple vetch occurred along fences where
  tractor mowers dont cut.

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Kid Power intervenes

• Students from elementary to high-school learned
  about the invasives on their school grounds and
  got after them.

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We made several good hauls
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Why Work with Area Schools?

• Weed removal and education makes a good
  combination
• Students are receptive to learning when their
  hands are busy and they are outdoors ?
• Weeds pulled at school are often spotted and
  removed from around kids homes
• School grounds are highly visible areas of the
  community and our message about invasive weeds is
  spread as quickly as weeds are removed

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Students Got the Message!

• Weed Hunt!
• Weeds? Well this isnt any weed. Bird vetch is
  a weed that isnt supposed to be growing in
  Alaska. This plant is invasive! It just grows
  and grows. We have to pick it because it has
  tendrils that grab and wrap around leaves, stems
  and branches and pulls them down. Bird vetch
  hurts the environment because it chokes other
  plants. We even found dead trees under the
  vetch!
• Mrs. Wicks class has been on a bird vetch
  hunt. They have pulled the bird vetch from the
  bus landing and the front fence. With all the
  team work, the job was done quickly. Hey! Why
  dont you help pull bird vetch!
• By Nicky Harrison, Carleigh Longoria, Sam
  Riopelle, and Rebecca Seals

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Funding?

• NRCS may fund if we build a Conservation Plan
  including our goals and objectives and link to
  the NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance
  Program

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Special Thanks Go Out To

• Mat-Su CWMA for Funding and Technical Assistance
• Wasilla High Schools Environmental Science
  Program
• Cottonwood Creek Elementary, Snowshoe Elementary,
  Teeland Middle School students and staff
• WSWCD Board of Supervisors for Funding Support