Owen teachers building new nature trail on six acres of woodlands

If you can’t spark and keep your students’ interest, you can’t teach them anything, and one of the best ways to keep students interested is with hands-on learning.
Owen Intermediate School science teachers David Bargardi and Kevin Krug know this and that’s why the idea of building a nature walk behind Owen Intermediate School is so appealing to them.
Bargardi and Krug got the idea from the nature trails that are found throughout the YMCA camps that Owen’s sixth grade students attend every year.
“They have nice trails there and we just thought this was the time to do it,” Bargardi said. “We have a beautiful piece of property that is six acres just sitting there doing nothing.”
Bargardi and Krug plan to use the nature walk in science classes for teaching about ecosystems. They hope that science classes won’t be the only ones using the nature walk. For instance, they say, art classes could sit in the outdoor classroom and sketch, social studies students could have discussions about Michigan’s timber industry, or physical education classes could use this as a running trail. The possibilities are endless.
They also said they wish the community will use this for walking or just relaxing on a bench to take in what nature has to offer.
When completed, the nature walk will consist of one trail loop approximately one-quarter 77uuuuuuuuuujmof a mile, varieties of trees identified with signs, bat houses, an outdoor classroom, a bird blind, three recycled benches, and trash receptacles to keep the nature walk clean.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon there will be a work day on the nature walk to spread wood chips, pick up garbage, and clear brush. Anyone interested in helping out should contact David Bargardi or Kevin Krug at Owen Intermediate, (734) 697-8711.
They are planning a dedication of the trail at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14.