This three acre parcel of desolate farmland was developed by a team of Marshfield High School (MHS) teachers, students, and Leadership Marshfield volunteers. Development of the Marshfield Outdoor Learning Sanctuary (MOLS) began in September 2007 to provide a habitat for ongoing environmental science for students and community members. Mike Check, land developer donated the wetland property to the School District of Marshfield. The Leadership Marshfield team provided expertise of marketing and fundraising for construction of the trail system.
Three ponds were excavated in 2008 to encourage wetland habitat. A Design Charette facilitated by Randy Lueth, Landscape Architect resulted in the master plan for the property. John Specht, environmental enthusiast identified all the wetland vegetation. The MHS Building Technology students constructed the arbors, a bridge, and elevated walkways, Agriculture students cleared the trails, scattered seeds and planted native species, Biology students cleared trails, studied wetland species and designed plant identification signage.
With support from the Marshfield Sunrise Rotary, School District of Marshfield Board of Education, FFA & FFA Alumni, York Children’s Foundation, C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant, Stratford Sign Company, individual donations to the Marshfield Area Community Foundation MOLS Fund, and hundreds of volunteer hours, this property will provide innovative instructional and recreational opportunities. A student volunteer wrote, “I have been privileged to see nature at its finest; the animal and plant life that thrive in this wetland are incredible and just waiting to be admired.”
