Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide from the US Fish & Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently revised their <a href="http://www.fws.gov/cno/pdf/HabitatGuideColor.pdf">Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide</a><br /><br />The Schoolyard Habitat Program helps teachers and students create wildlife habitat at their own schools. Typical projects include: wetlands, meadows, forests and variations based on specific ecoregions. <br /><br /><br />Many projects are planned through multiple phases and change over time as children from various classes build upon the existing work of past students. <br /><br />This 132 page guide provides a comprehensive resource to support new and existing habitat improvement projects.  The guide includes information on the following topics:<br /><ol><li>Forming a Team</li><li>Developing a Master Plan for your site</li><li>Assessing the Project Site</li><li>Designing Your Project</li><li>Deciding Money Matters</li><li>Project Installation Tips</li><li>Developing a Maintenance Plan</li><li>Using the Site</li><li>Sharing Your Story</li><li>Includes Appendices on Specific Habitat Types, Equipment, Choosing Plants, Soil Testing, and more!</li></ol>You can download the entire guide from their <a href="http://www.fws.gov/cno/conservation/schoolyard.cfm">website</a>.  <br /><br />You can also check out the Ohio Division of Wildlife's WILD School Site program on our <a href="http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/wild_resourcessubhomepage/Educator_Resources/Wild_Schoolsplaceholder/resourceswildschoolsdefault/tabid/5821/Default.aspx">website</a>.  We offer grants, consultations, workshops and a certification program for Ohio schools.<br /><br />Happy Planting!

Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide from the US Fish & Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently revised their Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide The Schoolyard Habitat Program helps teachers...

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The 16th Annual Civista Run/Walk for Wellness 5K

On Saturday, May 16 I participated in the 16th Annual Civista Run/Walk for Wellness 5K.  Civista is one of the local hospitals around here.  <br /><br />I planned to walk this entire 5K again because of the back pain I've been experiencing.  However, once the race started and the adrenaline started pumping, I had to take off!  I jogged and walked off and on throughout the entire race.    <br /><br />I was happy that the organizers of this race chose a different route through the town than I was previously used to doing.  The <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/05/march-of-dimes-march-for-babies-5k.html">March of Dimes walk</a> and the Charles County Walk for the Homeless that I did 2 years ago used the same route.  Admittedly, it gets boring doing the same route and knowing what to expect.  Even though I jogged at various points during the race, my back never really bothered me and I was <i>so </i>happy about that.  I hope this back issue starts to dissipate because I haven't been pushing myself at the gym for fear of injuring myself further. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuUFgYDUIQIpjQaCqGrfVF2rpLpAQNL9KOwnEC5t2m9MVtjlJeioVQRlDnW64lcmrmjWoY2OW3AN__UWTcwkOQx5bCB8n7z8K2FpzKcgWa2qdB3yd5p6CdL14HCHpyI9jgPl69EZYwH0/s1600/May+2011+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuUFgYDUIQIpjQaCqGrfVF2rpLpAQNL9KOwnEC5t2m9MVtjlJeioVQRlDnW64lcmrmjWoY2OW3AN__UWTcwkOQx5bCB8n7z8K2FpzKcgWa2qdB3yd5p6CdL14HCHpyI9jgPl69EZYwH0/s320/May+2011+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crossing the finish line!</td></tr></tbody></table> I was also pleasantly surprised to find Joel waiting at the finish line!  I've been doing all these 5K's alone.  It sucks, especially whenever you see other groups of people clustered together before/after the race.  It's awkward just standing around by yourself.  That's why it was so nice to finish and see a familiar face, especially Joel's :).<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgtgtuoOT08xYGlB8y_3PerG52OGlmca3FhgxGaREXGSoHcvLNjiRNSuaj6KpoZjZpxf6fEXDX4DCdzfZSpvwXJmUJSDaKPEVgNUkmJUqTAgtDoXM6ZWuzPfuBCMX7rZE1_z5Xqqay5Y/s1600/May+2011+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgtgtuoOT08xYGlB8y_3PerG52OGlmca3FhgxGaREXGSoHcvLNjiRNSuaj6KpoZjZpxf6fEXDX4DCdzfZSpvwXJmUJSDaKPEVgNUkmJUqTAgtDoXM6ZWuzPfuBCMX7rZE1_z5Xqqay5Y/s320/May+2011+036.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">very sweaty and hungry.</td></tr></tbody></table>I've done four 5K's so far and I would do them all again next year if the opportunity arises!  I have three left as of right now and don't plan to do anymore until I move and class is over.  This weekend is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Great Strides 5K (Saturday) and the Weight Watcher's Walk-it Challenge 5K on Sunday.

5K The 16th Annual Civista Run/Walk for Wellness 5K

On Saturday, May 16 I participated in the 16th Annual Civista Run/Walk for Wellness 5K.  Civista is one of the local hospitals around here. ...

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