As housing developments, recreational sports facilities, churches, and business buildings spring up in Lakeville, Crystal Lake Elementary School is working to preserve and restore some wildlife habitat on their school grounds. Students built three large bird feeders next to their building which they maintain and monitor as part of Cornell University's FeederWatch program.
Students observe and identify birds to help university researchers establish migratory patterns.
They keep journals on observations of specific bird species. To enhance the feeding station area, students created a butterfly garden. A Master Gardener from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum assisted with the planning of the garden. A woodland area is being established near the playground. Students anticipate the opportunity to restore the soil, add trees, logs and woodland plants to attract birds and wildlife.