On a snowy Thursday morning, Hill City seventh grade science students tromped through fresh powder in the woods. Why? To utilize the School Forest Program that started in 1949.

“The program provides a variety of benefits to increase outdoor education activities studying macro-invertebrates, animal tracking, winter survival, snowshoeing, invasive species, phenology, insect studies, wildlife studies, and service learning,” said Karen Harrison, school forest specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Minnesota School Forest Program is a partnership between the DNR and Minnesota schools.

According to Harrison, the School Forest Program was an original idea of Dr. C. V. Hobson, a former Bemidji State University geography professor and state legislator. He actively campaigned for the passage of the School Forest Law, which authorized public education institutions to establish and maintain school forests. The law was passed in 1949 and the first school forest was designated in 1950 in Blackduck.

A school forest is an outdoor classroom where students learn and apply math, social studies, art, science, language arts, and physical education. Currently, there are 130 school forests which range in size from less than one acres to more than 300 acres with the program totaling more than 7,200 acres of land across the state. The school forest in Hill City is 37 acres and was designated in 1972. The Hill City School Forest is visited daily by Stanley Mikles, a 15-year science teacher at Hill City Schools. It is also visited multiple times a week by Mikles’ class.

Mikles presented his lab, “The Great Snow Flea Study of 2016,” to his seventh grade science class demonstrating, how some creatures adapt to extreme temperatures. The study provided the chance for middle school students to engage nature outside the textbook. The class of more than 20 kids were dressed and ready to go when Mikles entered the classroom, showing they were eager to participate.

“He is an awesome teacher,” said Mendy Oukrop, a paraprofessional of 12 years. “We are so lucky to have him.”

Mikles’ students seemed eager for his lessons.

“Mr. Mikles is a really good teacher,” said Tucker Holm, a student of Mikles. “I look forward to his class.”

The class traversed fresh snow and traveled more than 100 yards before entering the school forest, which was marked by a large snow-covered wood sign. Mikles’ seventh graders walked across a wood bridge, which was no wider than three feet, into the opening of the woods. The bridge was built by Mikles and his students to allow easy passage over the swampy entrance to the forest. The science class was welcomed by natural forest habitat and untouched fresh snow.

Each student was allowed to wander and gather a small sample of the top centimeter of snow in one baggy and another small sample of deeper snow into another baggy. After about a half hour, a loud yell echoed through the forest from Mikles signaling the class to come back together. A final count was made and the class made their way back to the school; each student covered in sweat, snow and smiles.

Many of Mikles’ students agree that science class would not be the same without him and repeatedly said how they enjoy his classes and how much they learn.

“It’s awesome we get the opportunity to be in the school forest,” said Maycee Lathrop, one of Mikles’ students.

Some students even felt emotion for school science programs without access to school forests.

“It’s pretty terrible [other schools] can’t get to the forest and learn as much,” added Raya Toepper, another of Mikles students.

The school forest specialist from the DNR appreciates Mikles and the work he has done with his students.

“It’s such a great experience for students to be able to do real-world studies that connect them to their surroundings. Stanley does this in so many ways throughout the year,” said Harrison. “I can’t say enough good things about Stanley and the work he does at Hill City. The way he reaches his students and inspires them to connect to nature is amazing.”

For more information about the School Forest program, visit www.mndnr.gov/schoolforest.