Great Falls High students assist with Arbor Day project at Malmstrom

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  April 29 was Arbor Day and in an effort to be part of the national celebration, a substantial improvement project took place at Malmstrom's Pow Wow Park pond.

Thirty freshmen student from Great Falls High School, along with adult volunteers from the Lewis and Clark National Forest, Cascade County Conservation District, the City of Great Falls Parks and Recreation Department, and members of the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron, joined forces to plant more than 500 trees and shrubs that were carefully mapped out to gain the most benefit.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's water quality tests indicate a combination of poor water flow, sedimentation and an overabundance of invasive goldfish have created water conditions that are near lethal for supporting a recreational fishery," said Jason Gibbons, Malmstrom's wildlife biologist. "We have erosion issues. The water is very murky."

Great Falls High School science teacher April Senger was teaching her class about erosion and wanted to provide a hands-on project for the students to learn about this scientific process. Her educational goals met with Malmstrom's need for assistance from the community to complete this lofty project.

"Ms. Senger talked to us about this project in class and asked for volunteers," said freshman Sydni Hogan. "It was an opportunity for us to learn inside and outside the classroom about erosion."

All of the students agreed that doing projects hands-on makes the learning process more practical and real.

"You get to see history in real life; you get to see science in real life; and you get to see English in real life instead of sitting in a class learning about it," said freshman Cody Lindstrand.

In preparation for the project, Mr. Gibbons and his team placed color-coded flags that corresponded to the various types of trees and shrubs they would plant, making identification easier for the volunteers. Species planted included caragana, cottonwood, golden currant, bur oak, and two types of roses.

"We are hoping these trees and shrubs will help first, with creating a wind break around the pond reducing wind erosion and second, keep soil from running into the pond when there is stormwater runoff," Mr.Gibbons said.

While the students were grateful for a day out of the classroom, the Malmstrom community was grateful for their energy and enthusiasm.
"We just wouldn't be able to do these (projects) without support from the community," Mr. Gibbons said. "We hope to have many more cooperative efforts like this in the future."

The project was made possible by funding provided through a grant from the National Public Lands Day committee and the trees and shrubs were purchased from the Conservation Districts in northern tier states that have ties to large nurseries.