Clearing weeds on school ground during a student work project, Andrew Birkeland of Golden Valley, saw possibilities.
The Benilde-St. Margaret 11th grader thought perhaps something more could live and grow besides weeds in the area. And as Life Scout with New Hope's Boy Scout Troop 354, Birkeland was also looking for a way to work toward an Eagle Scout rank. That's when he came up with building a butterfly habitat garden as his Eagle Service Project at Benilde.
"My mom had brought up the idea of doing a butterfly habitat a few years ago and it kind of stuck with me," Birkeland said. "I chose to do the project at BSM to give Environmental Science and Ecology classes an easy, convenient way to observe nature."
Once the project is complete Birkeland will have completed all of the requirements for Eagle Scout.
"Then I just have a lot of paperwork and Board of Reviews and if everything gos well, I'll receive my Eagle Badge," he said.
The labor part and garden installation is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 2.
"We will be doing everything from clearing the area and preparing the soil, to planting a variety of butterfly-attracting plants and laying watering hoses and wood chips," Birkeland said. "I hope to have a number of volunteers there to help with the work."
Mainly, Birkeland is happy to give back to the school that has provided him an education for the past five years. He hopes that the new garden will be used for years to come.
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