Our first unit in 7th grade Science was Ecology. Students learned about how living things interact with each other and their environment, including the effects of invasive species. As part of our unit, students participated in a community project, The Buckthorn Menace. The goal of this project was to remove buckthorn at Carleton and St. Olaf and to raise public awareness of environmental damage caused by invasive species.

The Buckthorn Menace project allowed students to be part of a solution to a significant environmental problem in our community. Students rotated through a series of stations: pulling young buckthorn plants, sorting parts of buckthorn plants, and collecting data on the buckthorn population.

Fifth Bridge provided funding for additional staff needed to make the project safe and a good experience for all! Thank you!