On September 30th, The Kimberley Independent School students (pre-K to Grade 8) spent a fun-filled afternoon battling invasive plants in their second annual WEED-A-THON fund-raiser. The students concentrated their efforts on the rails to trails which runs along behind their school an area that they frequent during their Outdoor Education activities. The school is working with the City of Kimberley to “adopt” this section of trail and maintain it on an ongoing basis.
Earlier in the week, students had all participated in classroom presentations offered through Wild Voices for Kids. Presentations were aimed at raising awareness and teaching students about plant identification, their effects, and how to take action in the control of invasive weeds.
The Kimberley Independent School weed pull event raised $250 from the “Communities Pulling Together” program and accessed through the Invasive Plant Council of BC, as well as additional monies raised from donations to the students.
The Kimberley Independent School staff and students would like to thank all volunteers for their participation, the Min. of Forests and Range and the East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council for use of gloves and grass seed, Wildsight for the use of shovels, and all residents who supported this event through donations.
The students would also like to thank Phil and Allison at Black Bear Books and Video for treating all young participants to a celebratory ice cream cone after the event!