A crew from NDSU Extension plants crops in the location of the old Alexander school gym last summer. (Photo submitted)
There will be a Youth Pollinator Event put on for Alexander Public School 3rd and 4th graders at Lewis and Clark Trail Museum, Alexander. Youth involved with the event will help plant crops; learn about wildlife and conservation, and how to create a pollinator habitat.
"We are hoping that this project will encourage kids to go outside and get them involved in wildlife habitat and conservation," says Rick Pokrzywinski, the McKenzie County Pheasants Forever Chapter president.
The McKenzie County Soil Conservation District, McKenzie County Pheasants Forever Chapter, Williston Research Extension Center, Alexander Public School, and staff at the Lewis and Clark Trail Museum are all working in coordination to help bring this event to life.
The purpose of the event is to educate kids on the importance of pollinators and pollinator habitat as well as establish a quality pollinator habitat project.
"The main part of the event is letting kids actually plant seeds in the ground. Due to this project being local, those kids can watch those seeds grow overtime. It's just going to be a really fun event where these kids will be getting their hands in the dirt and learning a few things along the way," says Emily Spolyar, Pheasants Forever Precision Ag and Conservation Specialist.
Spolyar is most excited to be a part of this event. She said, "Everyone is just so excited to have this event. It is just a wonderful project to be a part of from start to finish. We have been planning this event for a year now and it is just really exciting to see it actually come to fruition."
The students will be planting pollinator seed mix. The seeds included in this mix are wildflowers, milkweed, and other plants that will attract caterpillars and bugs. Pokrzywinski explained that the plants in the pollinator seed mix would help create a habitat for birds. The results of this project will benefit pollinators as well as establish critical brood rearing habitat for pheasants and several other birds.
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