Neoga students plant over 1,000 trees in school habitat

NEOGA, Ill. (WCIA) — Students at Neoga Junior High and Elementary School are fixing up their prairie by planting trees.

It’s a new space to learn about biodiversity. Biology teacher Amy Brown has been working on this project since last year.

“We wanted to figure out a way to keep our outdoor classroom area, but enhance it,” Brown said.

She said it was made possible through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Planet Stewards Project. The school was awarded with $7,500 to plant more than 1,000 trees.

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But fixing up the scenery isn’t the only motive.

“We’re going to restore this plot that’s behind me because it’s been overtaken by an invasive species called teasel,” senior Megan Baker said.

She said the plant has been destroying their prairie.

“So, we’re taking it over with trees,” Baker added. “Because as the trees grow up, the canopies will suffocate the teasel underneath it.”

Baker said it’s important that they’re taking care of the problem, because now students like freshman Brayden Ray will get to experience the land more than she did.

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“I think this is a super great experience, really fun and I really like that we’re getting everyone involved,” Ray said.

It’s all for a better turnout in the future, so students can continue to enjoy the space.

“We’ll be checking on them every few months to see how they’re surviving and how many, know what percent we have,” Brown said.

Brown said they should be finished planting the trees by Friday next week.

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