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Havasu National Wildlife Refuge: Expansion of the Little Greenhouse Project Objectives: (1) To expand the supply base of native mesquite trees for the revegetation of Havasu National Wildlife Refuge; and (2) To provide a unique educational opportunity for local elementary school children by having them interact daily with basic scientific ideas. Project Description: The US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is committed to native revegetation efforts on the Lower Colorado River. The Service has cooperated with other agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation in the planting of native cottonwood and willow poles on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The Refuge has a nursery of cottonwood and willow trees which are harvested to provide poles for revegetation projects on the Refuge. However, honey mesquite does not reproduce well using this method. In 1996, the Refuge approached Diamondback Elementary School (DES) in Bullhead City, Arizona with a proposal to grow honey mesquite trees. The Refuge funded a 7'x12' greenhouse and provided seeds, soil and pots. Two fifth grade classes from DES raise the trees and conduct experiments on them throughout the year. Past experiments have included soil type (desert soil vs. potting soil), types of pots (1-gallon black pots vs. 2-liter bottles), the effect of temperature when the seeds are planted on seed germination, fertilizer effects (Miracle Grow vs. no fertilizer), and brands of fertilizer (Miracle Grow vs. Sam’s Choice). Topock Elementary School (TES) located in Topock, Arizona has repeatedly expressed interest in participating in this program. Topock is a town of approximately 3,000 people and overlooks the eastern shore of Topock Marsh (the northern unit of the Refuge). Unfortunately, the Refuge has not had the resources to utilize the proximity of Topock in terms of outreach, education and community relations. With the help of the Sonoran Joint Venture Awards Program, the Refuge would like to establish a greenhouse at TES. The expansion of The Little Greenhouse Project to TES would double the trees planted on the Refuge every year, and help cultivate an educational relationship between TES, the community of Topock, and the Refuge. Contact: |
