Replenishing the Oak Woodland

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4th and 5th grade students collected acorns and grew seedlings in the classroom during the month of November. They kept track of the acorn growth and learned about oak woodlands at the same time.  Because the Ojai Valley was once a large oak woodland and still has many old oaks growing throughout the valley, the students learned about their ecosystem After the acorns sprouted, a field trip was planned to the Ojai Meadow Preserve. (The Ojai Meadow Preserve is part of the Ojai Land Conservancy and is in the process of being restored to its natural habitat.)

The students planted their seedlings in the area of the preserve that was once an oak woodland. This restoration work is not only done in partnership with the Ojai Land Conservancy but is also partnered with the local Once Upon a Watershed program providing a community service.

Students recorded their observations and reflections after hiking in the meadow.

This project was a great success!  The kids loved growing and caring for their seedlings and they loved the field trips out to the Ojai Meadow Preserve. 

This year, by coincidence, the students seedlings were ready to plant in time for the Ojai Arbor Day Celebration and planting ceremony.  Next year when I do this project again, I would like this timing to work out by intention. 

The other area that I felt could be different was in my asking for more volunteer help.  It's a lot of work to take over 30 students on a field trip out to a meadow and have them plant seedling and do activities.