From wildflowers to wildlife A day among the trees
<p>Josie Booth steps across rocks in a creek at Q'emiln Park during an outing with her fifth-grade class from Ponderosa Elementary for Post Falls Arbor Day events.</p>
POST FALLS - Garrett Weller has seen great-horned owls in books, but it doesn't compare to seeing eye to eye with a live one as he did on Wednesday.
The Ponderosa Elementary fifth-grader was pulled from his Arbor Day field trip group at Q'emiln Park to see an owl up close.
"I thought it was going to get on me at first," said Weller, with his eyes still wide from the experience. "It hissed at me. But it was really cool."
In addition to learning about birds of prey, students hiked the Q'emiln trails and learned about wild flowers, native trees, snow melt's impact on the roaring Spokane River and the upstream battle in the life of a salmon.
"It helps get them excited about the environment we live in," said Brendan Murphy, Post Falls' urban forester who helped organize the event. "It gives them respect for how animals exist within the forest."
The theme of the Arbor Day activities, which also included a poster contest, was "Trees are good for people and animals."
"We learned about all sorts of trees, how moss grows on types of rock, animals and even woodpeckers," said student Alex Choquette.
Students learned that dead trees still have a purpose, creating a home for birds and offering a food source to animals, before it eventually decomposes and disintegrates back into the soil.
The yellow Glacier Lily was a prominent wildflower along the hike. Grass Widows, Shooting Stars, Camus and Buttercups also added a splash of spring color along the way.
A favorite exercise - and exercise it did provide - was simulating the tiring life of a salmon. Students learned there's a variety of hazards, including bears, eagles and turbines, along the way.
"Salmon have a tough lifestyle," Choquette said.
Ralph Meyer, a member of the Post Falls Urban Forestry Commission and a field trip volunteer, said it's rewarding to watch students learn about the outdoors.
"It's nice that kids have an appreciation for what grows here," Meyer said.
More Arbor Day events scheduled
An Arbor Day ceremony, tree planting and guided hikes will be held at the east Tubbs Hill park in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. A pancake breakfast starts at 9:45 a.m. and hikes start at 10:15 a.m. Free seedlings will be available. Information: 769-2266.
Hayden will hold its 10th annual Arbor Day celebration on Saturday at 10 a.m. at City Park. The public is invited.
A permanent Christmas tree will be planted in the park.
"A cut tree was used each year," said Community Forester Chris Boza. "Hayden will now have a permanent tree."
The celebration will also include tree planting, tree climbing and tree pruning demonstrations.
"Trees are a long-term investment in our community," Boza said. "Planting and pruning them properly will ensure our tree investment pays us dividends for years to come."