The Rachel Carson Center for Natural
Resources began in the fall of 1998. For almost the whole
school year, the Rachel Carson Greenhouse was under
construction. We did, however, have the "garden" ready. The
garden is a setup of about 10 wooden boxes around 2 feet
tall filled with gravel and soil that was donated by Rexius.
Students who took the botany class that year planted flower,
herb, and vegetable starts and seeds in the garden. All
through the summer and fall of 1999 we harvested tomatoes,
onions, squash and a variety of other vegetables for anyone
who wanted them. By December of 1999, the greenhouse was
totally completed. We had a lot of projects going that year.
We brought a group of students from McCornack Elementary
School over to help plant some native wetland plants. We
were also working with the Nature Conservancy, Native Plant
Society, the city of Eugene, and the Bureau of Land
Management. We did seed research and grew milkweed as well
as growing flower, herb, and vegetable starts. In May we had
two plant sales for students, teachers, parents, and local
residents. We made about $400. There were a couple other
classes that made use of the greenhouse. The Alternative
School, Teen Parent Program, Life Skills, and some biology
classes. This year, we are trying out some new
things. The second year Rachel Carson students came up with
a list of projects that they are interested in doing and
split into three groups. One group is planting pots of
herbs, another is working on hanging flower baskets, and the
third is figuring out the business side of things. The
students from McCornack came back to repot and collect seeds
from the wetlands plants they planted. We are also trying
to grow some Oregon white oaks and are going to grow veggie
and flower starts. Begun in October, 1998,
the greenhouse promises to be an important part of the
natural resources program at Churchill High School. The 30 X
60 foot 'state of the art' structure will add significantly
to the program's offerings. The ability to raise plants for
restoration work, lab studies, and sale to the public will
enrich the curriculum in many ways. We hope to add some
raised beds outside the greenhouse for student and community
use.
CARSON
CENTER GREENHOUSE PROJECT
Here
are some photographs of the greenhouse under construction.
Watch for announcements of our Open House Celebration to be
held in Spring, 1999!