*Morgan Graham (Teton Conservation District), Meta Dittmer (Teton County Weed & Pest), Kari Cieszkiewicz (National Elk Refuge)*

Munger Mountain 5th graders are stoked on pulling weeds! Sixty students teamed up with Teton County Weed & Pest District and the National Elk Refuge to learn about wildlife habitat and pull 100+ pounds of invasive weeds around their school.

Over a series of field-based lessons, students learned about ecosystem processes and how to identify native and invasive plants. Following a field trip to an ecologically-intact site, they visited a school field that was disturbed by construction. In their own words, students described how the abundance and diversity of plants and wildlife was lower around the school.

Then, each class was asked how they could improve wildlife habitat around their school.

The students’ enthusiastic answer: “GET RID OF THE INVASVE PLANTS!!!” They pulled thistles, houndstongue, scentless chamomile, and other weeds…and because Jackson kids are tough, they did this during the first winter precipitation of the season! For the biggest common mallow, a team of kids pulled together like a game of tug-o-war, cheering and laughing when they triumphed over the tap root. As the piles of weeds grew bigger and bigger, the cumulative impact energized the kids even more.

*Morgan Graham cultivating enthusiasm for eradicating weeds!*

The students communicated the importance of being stewards of the habitat around their school and want to pass that value down to younger classes. Most people say they love wildlife…but not everyone knows what to do to help wildlife. These 5th graders figured it out pretty quick—their enthusiasm to help the ladybugs, butterflies, birds, and all the critters is contagious. We hope you catch the bug through this post—it’s not too late to get out there and pull some weeds this season!

Educators and students are excited to continue the project this winter with a mapping exercise to plan future restoration projects.