Past Events

2011

Local teens are committed to community service and the Como Woodland
Update by: Deb Robinson, Como Woodland Advisory Committee volunteer

Volunteerism is alive and well in the hearts and minds of local school students. As is the case on many Wednesday afternoons during the school year, Great River School (GRS) students were out doing volunteer work in the community. And the benefit of their service on October 26 was the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom (CWOC) project site. Sixteen teens and their teacher, Enrique Garita, walked from their school to Como Park to help restore the 17-acre woodland.

Great River School has a long association with volunteerism, which is an important part of their mission to prepare students for their unique roles as responsible and engaged citizens of the world. Great River School also has a long association with the CWOC going back to 2008 when one of their classes adopted the Como Woodlands as a project and worked on a variety of volunteer activities that benefited the site.

In 2011, Great River School applied for DNR Minnesota School Forest status for the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom. School Forest status will bring valuable state support and resources to this urban woodland educational facility in exchange for a long-term commitment from students and their school forest committee volunteers.

GRS students planted 20 flats of prairie plants in the Savanna Woodland portion of the outdoor classroom. Four Conservation Corps youth leaders and City of Saint Paul Parks & Recreations Natural Resources Technician, Meghan Manhatton, provided guidance.

Extra volunteer support on this planting day came from five Honor Society students from Murray Junior High School and their science teacher, Tim Chase. After GRS students finished planting, Murray students spread bales of bluestem grass straw on any bare earth that remained in the planting area. Three adult volunteers connected to the projects Advisory Committee rounded out the crew on October 26.

The Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom received a grant from the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund a few years ago. However, the long-term health of this urban woodland depends on dedicated volunteers like the students of Great River School, Murray Junior High School, and community members thanks to all the wonderful CWOC volunteers.

How to get involved with volunteering in Saint Pauls parks and natural areas: http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=3811
For more information on the DNR School Forest Program, visit: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/schoolforest/index.html

Late Summer & Early Fall
Planting Event and Interpretive Tours
Update by: Deb Robinson

The Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom site was a beehive of activity this summer into the fall of 2011. Parks and Recreation’s Natural Resources staff were busy supervising Minnesota Conservation Corps, Youth Conservation Corps, and volunteers in removing invasive trees and plants as well as the planting many native trees (American elm, basswood, bitternut, and white pine) and native prairie and floodplain forest plants. Much of the funding that supported these activities came from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (a LCCMR grant that Como Woodland Advisors and Park & Recreation staff applied for a few years ago).

Como Woodland Advisors took part in the volunteer activities whenever possible. The Sedge Meadow Planting on September 17 was one such event. There were 63 enthusiastic volunteers who showed up at 9AM on an unseasonably cool Saturday morning – it was perfect weather for a few hours of hard, but satisfying work.

Natural Resources Department staff and interns as well as 19 Youth Conservation Corps members led this event. They had already prepared the plot of land on the north side of Como Woodland along Horton Avenue by loosening the soil, spreading woodchips, and indicating plant spacing with slight indentations in the chips. The long narrow plot had been divided into four areas with each area supplied with a water tank, buckets, tools, and flats of plants.

Natural Resources Technician, Meghan Manhatton, gave some project background and general information to the crowd of volunteers. She split the large group into four smaller working groups. Families with small children were directed to work in the areas furthest from the Horton Avenue traffic, but all volunteers were given reflective safety vests to wear.

Each group followed their group leader to one of the four plots. A few of the Youth Conservation Corps workers were given the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by instructing each work group on the correct way to plant. Then everyone started digging in. Within just a few hours volunteers had planted thousands of the 26 species including ferns, green-headed coneflowers, jack-in-the-pulpits, meadow rue, grasses, and, of course, sedges – the Sedge Meadow (Southern Floodplain Terrace Forest type) was off to a good start. The Youth Conservation Corps and Parks & Recreation staff stayed to finish up and clean up. And the volunteers went off to enjoy the rest of their Saturday knowing they had started the day right.

Also in September, Como Woodland Advisor and DNR Interpretive Naturalist, Lisa Held, led two Interpretive Tours of Como Woodland. The first tour was on a Thursday evening September 8 and was repeated on Saturday morning September 10. Lisa said, “I decided to go with change as a theme since that is what we are doing for the woodland, and to let people know that the things that are being done aren’t just arbitrary decisions by land managers, and there has been a long history of changes to Como Park since its inception.”

Lisa started her tours at the CWOC’s new staging area: The recently restored Joyce Kilmer Memorial Fireplace. While tour attendees were interested in the woodland’s history, the most frequently asked questions were about identifying the woodland’s many interesting fall-flowering plants such as false sunflower, woodland sunflower, white snakeroot, black-eyed susan, jewel-weed, and the interesting fall berry clusters of the carrion flower. The native trees were also of great interest. During the tours, chipmunks were very vocal and active, but the most exciting sighting was of two white-tailed deer placidly browsing on the woodland shrubs. Many attendees were surprised to see these large herbivores living in such a small urban woodland that (with the exception of the railroad right of way) is not connected to any other wildlife corridor.

Combined attendance for the two tours was 38 (including seven children and two teachers from Great River School). Attendees were given handouts on the CWOC project and told how they could volunteer to help restore the woodland. The tours were promoted by press releases placed in the Saint Paul Monitor and the Park Bugle newspapers, and posted on email blast lists of District 10 and Parks & Recreation; posters were hung at local community locations like the Lakeside Pavilion kiosk and at the Hamline Avenue entrance to the woodland.
Happy with the turnout, Lisa said, “I was thanked for the tour and even got some applause . . . so positive feedback for the most part.” And well-deserved thanks it was – thanks again, Lisa.

May 19, 2011
Joyce Kilmer Fireplace Redication, Spring Field Day, Arbor Month Tree Planting
A Great Day of events in the Como Woodland
submitted by: Deb Robinson - Rededication organizer & CWOC volunteer

Thanks to all the students, teachers, volunteers, City staff, and guests who took part in and helped prepare for the CWOC May 19 activities: the Kilmer Memorial Fireplace Rededication, the Spring Field Day, and the Arbor Month Tree Planting. The weather was good, the kids were great, and all three events were well-attended.

Rededication attendance est: 196 (students, teachers, advisors, City staff, and guests). Many of our project friends, both old and new, attended the Rededication. A few guests came from as far away as Texas (John Covell, Kilmer biographer and speaker) and Colorado (Chuck Doole, Dutch Oven memory contributor). Great granddaughter of Joyce Kilmer, Rosamond Kilmer Spring, attended as well as many members of the LaMont Kaufman family. The edited version of the Rededication ceremony is showing on the St. Paul Government cable channel and is also posted on YouTube at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f41cExclxGo

Articles about the May 19 Rededication appeared in our area's two major newspapers.
St. Paul Pioneer Press: 5-20-2011, p. 8B.
Star Tribune: 5-20-2011, p. 2B.

January 21
Outstanding Neighborhood Volunteers
On January 21, 2011, Como Woodland project advisors, Matt Schmitt and Sharon Shinomiya, received Saint Paul Neighborhood Honor Roll Volunteer Awards. The annual awards ceremony brings well-deserved attention to community volunteers in seventeen of St. Paul’s District Councils. Sharon and Matt have been long-time, hard-working volunteers in the Como Park neighborhood in general and dedicated volunteer advisors to the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom. Thank you, Sharon and Matt!

2010

Fall 2010
Poet-Tree Workshop
In September and October of 2010, perfectweather greeted 139 Chelsea Heights and Como Park Elementary school students as they enjoyed their guided educational walking tours of the Como Woodland. Three tour guides, volunteer Como Woodland Advisors, taught the students about urban woodlands, the benefits of trees and the history of the Kilmer Memorial Fireplace (a.k.a. Dutch Oven).
After the tours, each of the five classes participated in Poet-tree Workshops conducted in their schools by professional poet and educator John Minczeski. The combination of outdoor and classroom education helped the students retain and contextualize the information. Each class’s group poem will be printed in the Kilmer Fireplace Rededication booklet to commemorate the fireplace restoration. And the group poems will be recited at the Rededication May 19, 2011.

October 23, 2010
Connecting Youth to Nature through Digital Photography Teacher Workshop.
St. Paul Parks and Recreation and Minnesota DNR hosted a FREE event for 27 teachers. It was a four-hour standards-based workshop. The workshop included a digital cameras tutorial, basic photo tips, a hands-on photo activity, review and discussion about the photos taken during an outdoor photo activity, downloading and editing techniques, and student project ideas. The workshop showed how to enhance teachers’ curriculum, not add to it!

August 17, 2010
Habitat Restoration Event
Habitat Restoration Event at Como Woodland Outdoor Project volunteers helped remove heaps of burdock. CWAC first volunteer event in the CWOC with the city’s volunteer coordinator Beth Albrecht.

May 20, 8:30 - 2:30. Spring Field Day
Como Sr. High students collect bird, vegetation, and invasive plants study data. Another great Field Day with Como Park Sr. High School students. We had 35 participants (20 AP students, 14 volunteer mentors, 1 teacher).

Deb Robinson 2010 Volunteer of the Year award
In May the Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County honored Deb Robinson as the "2010 Park Volunteer of the Year." This was in recognition of her dedicated service in bringing together the many volunteers and the St. Paul Park and Recreation Department that make the Como Woods Outdoor Classroom project happen.

April 28, 2010. Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom recieves the Sustainable Saint Paul Award for Green Spaces from Mayor Chris Coleman. The awards pay tribute to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship through leadership in their respective categories. These efforts enhance the City’s quality of life and make Saint Paul the Most Livable City in America. The Green Spaces Award honors community groups and residents who replant, restore, and reclaim the urban environment into opportunities for the social and physical renewal.

April 10, 2010. Deb Robinson receives Honored Volunteer Award. The founder of the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom project received a well-deserved award. " The City of Saint Paul, Department of Parks and Recreation hereby acknowledges Deb Robinson for her leadership on the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom, in the Como Lake Strategic Planning Process, and with the Como Lake Shoreland Vegetation Management Task Force. In photo: left to right: Ward 5 City Councilman Lee Helgen, Deb Robinson, and Senator Ellen Anderson.

April 15, 2010. History sub-committee gives history site tour to Prof. Brian Hoffman (Hamline U) to consider CWOC and surrounding area for possible community Archaeology project.

April 10, 2010. Spring Park Clean-up; Met at Kickoff event where Advisor receives Park & Recreation Dept. Valued Volunteer Award; est. 10 volunteers went to clean-up Como Woodland site.

March 19, 2010. School Forest/Education Group review – meet at Hamline Maintenance Building.

January 11, 2010. Website redesign workshop.

2009

October 24, 2009. Buckthorn Bust in Como Woodland –
53 volunteers.

September 25, 2009. Fall Field Day with Como Park Sr.
HS in Como Woodland.

September 22, 2009. CWOC grant proposal presentation
to LCCMR – State Capitol Office Building.

September 21, 2009. Field Day mentor training with Jess
at Como Park HS.

August 14, 2009. Kilmer Memorial Fireplace Rededication
committee research dig at Park & Rec office.

June 25, 2009. CWOC advisor received award from Friends of Parks & Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey Co.

June 13, 2009. Season of Renewal Lake Clean-up. CWOC has information booth, and helps clean-up lake.

May 31, 2009. Elm tree planting in Como Woodland site.

May 26, 2009. CIB public hearing at City Hall – advisors and friends carpool to hearing.

May 22, 2009. Spring Field Day with Como Park HS – 21 students and mentors participate.

May 18, 2009. CIB committee meeting, St. Paul downtown public library, carpool to meeting.

May 16, 2009. Garlic Mustard Pull. 30 volunteers (26 Josh’s students)

May 13, 2009. Como Woodland Stewardship Award given to Tami’s GRV class with Eco Education.

May 2, 2009. Season of Renewal/Arbor month tree planting event by Streetcar Station, advisors participate.

May 1, 2009. CWOC submits proposal to LCCMR

April 15, 2009. Great River School students haul brush from CWOC annex site

April 11, 2009. Spring Parks Clean-up. Meet at Kickoff, 10 volunteers clean up Como Woodland.

March 30, 2009. CWOC CIB Taskforce proposal presentation – CWOC received high rating.

January – April 2009. Como Pool Replacement Taskforce – 3 advisors participate in 11 meetings.

January 12, 2009. St. Paul Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) proposal submitted for restoration of Kilmer
Memorial Fireplace on CWOC site.

2008

October 11, 2008. Buckthorn Bust (with Together Green) - 161 volunteers (includes 95 students

October, November, December 2008: Advisors volunteer with Great River School/Eco Education - GRS
Class (24) took woodland site history tour; advisors researched and wrote history tour; advisors gave
Class informational on invasive species at woodland and mini buckthorn bust; Bryan Murphy presented
Class Master site plan; advisor attended meeting with class regarding CIB process; advisors helped research blue bird houses and tree guards, helped reinforce bird houses.

September 19, 2008. Field Day with Como Park Sr. H., 26 students & 12 mentors.

August 18, 2008. Final Site Plan review.

Aug. 5, 2008. Burdock Pull in Como Woodland, ,Youth Care workers: 15, volunteers: 3.

July 20, 2008 - Our Fall '07 Field Day Featured on Minnesota Bound - The show aired on KARE 11's Minnesota Bound on July 20 and 26, 2008. The Como Park High School students who were featured as they collected data in the Como Park woodland are all great such kids and it really came through.

June 30, 2008. Draft Site Plan Review - We reviewed 3 draft plans from St. Paul City landscape architects.

May 28, 2008. Garlic Mustard Pull.

May 23, 2008. May Field Day with Como Park Senior High School and B2REU (Bridge to Research Experience for Undergraduates) at the Como Woodland site.

May 15, 2008. Mentor Training Meeting - Prepare mentors there will be a mentor training: review field equipment and skills

April 12, 2008. Spring Cleanup at Como Woodland - Drop-in at the Como Lakeside Pavilion for the City’s Kickoff Event at 8:30AM for a free bagel - then join us at the woodland.)

2007

November 7, 2007. CIB public hearing. City Hall – advisors and project supporters carpool to hearing.

October 27, 2007. BUCKTHORN BUST in Como Woodland – 170 signed in volunteers.

October 4, 2007. Field Day with Como High School students. – 81 students and mentors.

August 14, 2007. Volunteers help with storm clean-up in Como Park.

Summer 2007 Updates: CWOC CIB proposal has survived the committee process and moves on to the Mayor and City Council. Joan's Bird Habitat Analysis is nearly complete. CWOC concept draft site plan, done by the Metropolitan Design Center, is done. Our birding kit (bought with COPP funding) is getting lots of use with the special education student birding tours.

August 8, 2007. EcoPartners is holding a shoreline maintenance event on Wednesday evening; Volunteers will meet at the information kiosk behind the Como Lakeside Pavilion.

July – Aug. 2007. Bird Habitat Analysis data collection, Volunteer help for Prof. Joan McKearnan

July 18, 2007. The City Council voted unanimously to maintain the "no net loss" of parkland in the charter – advisors testified on behalf of “no net loss.”

Jun. 7, 2007. CIB Public Hearing, project advisors and friends carpool to hearing to testify.

Jun. 6, 2007. Como woodland evaluated for possible vernal pool by Ramsey Conservation District staff.

June 12, 2007. June Meeting. Randee Edmundson, District Science Specialist for SPPS, will talk with project Advisors about building sustainable partnerships, and the Ames Lake Restoration.

May 22, 2007. Garlic Mustard Pull in Como Woodland. Pulling and bagging done by 24 volunteers.

May 18, 2007. Woodland Tree planting event in Como Woodland – 51 volunteers

May 7, 2007. CWOC project presentation to St. Paul Audubon Society board.

April 14, 2007. Como Park Cleanup, in Como Woodland - 13 volunteers

March 24. 2007. - Sample Tree Inventory with Paul (from Tree Trust). 10:30am to 2:00pm

March 19, 2007. Present our proposal to CIB Committee, St. Paul Pubic Library.

2006

December 13, 2006. City Park Commission Meeting – commission approves CWOC moving forward.

November 8, 2006. CWOC presentation to St. Paul Park Commission; ask permission to use site.

Oct. 28, 2006. Como Woodland Buckthorn Bust - 116 volunteers November 16, 2006. CWOC presentation to Friends of Parks & Trails Board of Directors

October 17, 2006. CWOC presentation at Community meeting.

October 7, 2006. Como Woodland Buckthorn Bust - 20 volunteers.

Summer 2006 - Input gathering sessions: Design Recommendation meeting, July 26; Tree Trust & CGEE site tours, Aug. 8; Park & Rec Maintenance Dept. input, Aug, 10; City Planning & Design Dept. input, Aug. 25; City Environmental Services Dept. input, Sept. 14, 2006; District 10 Community Council input, Sept. 19, 2006.

July 20, 2006. CWOC project presentation to Ramsey Conservation District

J uly 15, 2006. First Advisory Committee meeting – 11 attend.