Welcome
to the
Woods!

          Mr. Bargardi and North Middle School students
at the official dedication - Fall 2002.

Located directly behind
North Middle School,
 47097 McBride,
Belleville MI.

Primarily designed as an outdoor classroom, North's Nature Trail
is also open to the community
for non-motorized recreation.

Timeline
  • 2000 - North Middle School science teacher Dave Bargardi develops a plan for a natural study area.

  • Autumn 2000 - the woodlot is evaluated and marked in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources. Thanks Andy !

  • Spring 2001 - the trail is cleared and wood chips are spread.

  • Fall 2001- many stumps are removed.

  • Spring 2002 - benches are placed, trees identified with signs, bird houses
    built & placed, and North's Nature Trail sign is erected.

  • Winter 2002 - Mr. Bargardi is awarded a mini-grant from Wayne County REMC to further develop this project.

  • Spring 2003 - mesh waste receptacles will be placed, bat houses will be put up, and North's Nature Trail website is created.

The support of many community businesses and neighborly individuals
have made this project possible. There is much more work to do!
If you would like to make a donation of money, supplies, or labor
please contact the web manager or call North Middle School at 734-697-9171.

Many thanks to:
  • Mr. Andy Henriksen, Forester/Wildlife Biologist Wayne County Conservation District, Department of Natural Resources for his in-depth evaluation of our site;

  • Environmental Quality of Van Buren Township for a donation of three recycled plastic benches;

  • Gardener’s Choice of Belleville for donating many yards of wood chips;

  • N. A. Mans in Canton for a donation of lumber and hardware used for construction of a walkway through a swampy section of the trail;

  • Mr. George Buhro and his class at Belleville High School for construction and assembly of the wooden walkway;

  • McCoy’s Ice Cream in Belleville for holding fund-raisers and donating the proceeds to buy supplies for the creation of the trail;

  • Mr. Blackhall and his Belleville High School woodworking student Michael Dotson for constructing the handsome entrance sign.

  • Michael and Stephanie Schriner;

  • North Middle School Staff and Principal Ms. Diane Tilson for all-round support; and

  • Ms. Susan A. Kennedy, Belleville High School media specialist, Van Buren Public Schools web manager, and neighbor - for creation of this webpage.

  • Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Melvin

  • Josephine Cialkowski


Nature Trail Index | Overview | Class Activities  | Fauna: Mammals | Birds | Reptiles & Amphibians |
Flora: Trees | Bushes, Vines & Flowers  | Photo Gallery: Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall |
A Small Woods in a Wider World  | DNR Report |
Newspaper Article |
North Middle School Home | Van Buren Public Schools Home 

DISCLAIMER:  The Van Buren Public Schools District and its employees can in no way be held responsible for the connectivity or content of any web site.
These resources are offered for your evaluation.
Please refer questions or comments to the Van Buren Public Schools web manager. This page was updated on 11/12/03.