Antwerp Local School is currently creating a native plant prairie on the two-acre field located north of the school. The area will include plants native to Northwest Ohio, which will benefit the environment by attracting and supporting birds, butterflies, and pollinators. The prairie will also provide learning opportunities for Antwerp students.
When completed, the prairie will include trees and shrubbery, a pavilion, picnic tables, grass paths, and a mailbox with identification books to help visitors spot butterflies, insects, and plants. Anyone will be welcome to visit the prairie.
Mrs. Linda Mabis, a fourth and fifth grade science teacher at Antwerp Local School, initiated the prairie project after attending a class at the Dayton Midwest Native Plants Conference earlier this year. There, she learned the importance of planting native plants rather than turf grass. When she returned to Antwerp, she asked Elementary Principal Mr. Tim Manz for a small area of land to begin a prairie. Shortly afterward, she heard from Superintendent Dr. Martin Miller that she could use the entire two-acre field adjacent to the school.
The pavilion will be complete at the beginning of October 2016. Volunteers will begin planting trees and bushes this fall and will plant native seeds toward the beginning of December, as a little layer of snow or frost on the ground creates ideal planting conditions. The grass paths will be completed in the spring of 2017, as well as any remaining planting.
This project has been possible due to the donations and teamwork of many people at the school, in the community, and from surrounding areas: Toledo Metro Parks (native plants seed), the Antwerp Board of Education (concrete), an anonymous donor (picnic tables), Tim Derck (spray), Master Gardeners of Paulding (trees), and fourth grade members of Girl Scout Troop 20516 (birdhouses).
Mr. Cord Ehrhart’s Engineering Your Future class at Antwerp High School measured and flagged the area when the project first began, and many people have volunteered their time, supplies, and skills to complete the pavilion: Gary and Linda Mabis, Shane Litzenberg, Brad Peters, Chad Franklin, James Gray, Bud Mabis, and Lenny and Donna Wirz. Other community members have contributed financially as well.
If you have interest in donating to this project, contact Superintendent Dr. Martin Miller at miller_m@antwerpschools.org or (419) 258-5421.
