03-19-2012 Planning Commission Packet

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• � �• PC Exhibit B( �� �'� � , :, i r . Q�"- • zS ' F. i • Orono School Environmental Systems Observation Area and Nature Center Shelter Submittal Application to the City of Orono Planning Department February 22,2012 The Orono School District and a volunteer consultant team axe working on plans for the design and approval of vaxious environxnental obseivation platforms and a Nature Center Shelter bordering on Lake Clausen on the western edge of the Orono School campus. The platforms and shelter are to become a key part of the Orono School District's Environmental Learning Program.Lake Clausen and the sut�rounding natural ecosystems are a rich resource for the School District and play a vital role in the school's academic programs including science,art and environmental systems.This area has also been a resource to other community groups including various Boy and Girl Scout programs, summer youth programs and adult education classes. The reason for these environmental observation facilities responds to the intense demand by teachers and students for environmental education programs in special ecological areas such as Lake Clausen. As may already be understood, the emphasis by the teachers in schools such as Orono has been to raise the environmental awareness of natural systems and to utilize actual outdoor locations such as the Lake Clausen ecosystem as laboratories for students to have hands on experience for a broad spectrum of studies including wetland bio- diversity,invertebrates, other flora and fauna,bird nugration and habitat,weather systems, landforms,geology and soils,as well as axt programs and a host of other explorations. "Listening Point" Environmental Learning Initiative Recently the School has received a grant from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to construct a series of observation platforms and trails along the lake edge in order to suppoxt the programs described above.This initiative is called "Listening Point."A map has been included in the submittal package out]iniiig the location of these various platforms and the trail system. This includes four platforms.They would be constructed of pressure treated wood posts,joists with decking sirivlar to many of the boardwalks seen in wetland settings . around the Twin Cities. Each platform is oriented towards a specific environmental condition that is pertinent to the education programs and would be situated behind the Wedand Delineation boundary.A trail system would allow access to the platforms which would be surfaced with wood chips.These facilities are already funded thru the MCWD grant program as well as outside donations. RECEtI/ED FEB 2 4 2012 �!�QF ORONO