The grand opening for the Natural Area was greeted by cold wet weather but spirits were not dampened. Students recited poetry and presentations were made by the project team as well as CBE and government stakeholders. The signs were also brought in for a quick unveiling before returning to the workshop for final preparations. After many years of planning and hard work, the Natural Area is now buzzing with activity.
Please join us for Alexander Ferguson School's official opening of our Raingarden Naturalization Area, a unique space for Calgary. The official opening is on May 8, 2008, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.. Following speeches and entertainment by our choirs, our students will be presenting on-going recitations of poetry and drama. This handicapped accessible, Braille scripted area has been kindly supported by our Parent Advisory Council, the school community and numerous local and city businesses.
Planting and Paver Party
Thank you to all the volunteers that worked through the weekend to prepare the site for the final laying of the Student's Tiles, creation of the Sneak Paths, and finally - some planting. Pictures and details to be added shortly.
Completed on May 12th are the outer edges of the amphitheatre base. Thank you to the crew who built the forms, set the rebar, poured the concrete, mixed in the colouring and helped with all the other jobs.
The major construction work is nearing completion and the project is now emerging from Leta's vision to a reality - exciting times.
The rocks are all here! The gyra has all been moved, thanks to the very helpful after-school crowd. Materials are being gathered.
April reports several geraniums returning in the front nursery. I have seen a newcomer sprouting there too: the geum triflorum aka old man's whiskers aka prairie smoke. Amoung my backyard plugs, I observed today that many liatris spicata (type of blazingstar) and potentilla fruticosa (the shrub) are sprouting.
The new life of spring is always miraculous to me. -- Leta
(PS - Photo is Prairie Smoke - Geum triflorum)
The Alexander Ferguson Elementary School Naturalization Project will break ground the week of April 30th. Fencing has gone up around the site with extra space provided for staging of materials. After three years of planning, fundraising, and preparation - the project is becoming a reality. Once the major ground work is completed, we'll be calling on Volunteers to help in early June.
The Alexander Ferguson Elementary School will be implementing a school yard naturalization project beginning in the spring of 2007. This project will transform almost 400 square metres of our schoolyard into a biodiverse natural area, rich with native Albertan perennials, grasses, and shade trees for community members and wildlife to enjoy. We will incorporate a sandstone amphitheatre which will be used as an outdoor teaching space where students will be actively engage as they study the required curriculum at all grade levels. We believe that community members, students at Alexander Ferguson Elementary, the environment and area wildlife will all benefit from this schoolyard transformation.
Alexander Ferguson Elementary School (AFES) is situated at 1704 - 26th St. S.W. betweeen Bow Trail and 17th Ave. It proudly serves the communities of Shaganappi, Killarney and Glengarry.
The following organizations have provided grant funding for this project:
The following organizations have made generous donations of materials and/or services:
There have also been many donations of time and money from families at the school who supported various fundraising campaigns and the family and community members who supported our silent auction last spring. Guy Milner a community member has also donated funds to plant a memorial tree.
Strong community support also from: