Classes Tap Trees at Auburndale School Forest
The temperature is changing, and for classes at Auburndale High School, that means tapping trees.
In March, the wildlife and horticulture classes along with 4th graders marked and tapped the maple trees at Auburndale School Forest. This involves drilling holes, attaching bags, and measuring the sugar content of the sap. Freezing night and warm day temperatures make the sap run through the tree.
“We collect it, and then we’ll cook it down and make maple syrup in our greenhouse,” said junior Jenna Snortheim. “We keep some of it, but it goes to another producer in our area, and the syrup actually comes back to us for our pancake feed.”
The school forest was purchased in 2015 and is within walking distance of the school buildings, which allows classes to collect the sap and get back before the 45 minute class period ends. Benefits of the accessible forest include hands-on learning and more opportunities to meet, said Snortheim.
“Experience is what we’re all about,” she said. An on-site building was constructed last year by the construction class. They put in electricity, plumbing, heating, and wood paneling. “The teacher lets them do what they want to do.”
Classes of all ages take advantage of school forest for activities like snowshoeing, tree and plant identification, and discovery.
“We see this as an opportunity,” said Snortheim.
