Heritage Middle MESA Program Works to Help the Environment!
On November 22, MESA advisor Janet Benter and MESA Environmental Club students enjoyed a peaceful afternoon at Rabbit Mountain collecting seeds of Winterfat, a sub-shrub that is a superior winter browse for wildlife such as deer, elk, rodents, rabbits and bighorn sheep. The seeds collected will be replanted in January at a nearby reclamation area. This project is significant because, when purchased, this seed costs about $45 per LPS (live pound of seed, or about three pounds of collected seed). Matt Bruce, Boulder County Parks and Open Space, said that he was very impressed with MESA students' work ethic, behavior, and great attitudes.
Students, Adriana Fernandez, Clariza Najera, Asher Benter, Courtney Ballard, Daniel Avalos, Esequiel Carrillo, Byron Benter, Andrew Ballard, Anna Ramirez, Brian Kenar-Castro, Katie Rouze, and Shauna White, are active members of Heritage's MESA Environmental Club and participated in the seed collection event at Boulder County Parks and Open Space location at Rabbit Mountain.
The Heritage MESA Environmental Club will have about 6 week-end "work days" throughout the year. Projects will focus on:
- Cutting trees to improve forest health in regards to fighting the endemic beetle infestation
- Constructing & putting up fences to protect wildlife
- Planting trees and shrubs to restore habitat
- Collecting seeds for erosion control
- Digging up invasive noxious weeds
