Nicolet Woods facility approved

Glendale - After reviews by several elected bodies, a proposed outdoor educational center in the heart of Nicolet High School's wooded area has been approved.

The Nicolet School Board on Monday formally approved the 30-by-20-foot structure, which will resemble a school house amid the 5-acre wooded area on the western end of the school property. No trees will be removed to accommodate the building.

The initiative, which will take form this summer, is the brainchild of John Rhude, a science and environmental education teacher at Nicolet. In the past, Rhude had been taking his advance placement environmental science students into the woods to study the ecology of the natural area, including the water, soils and wildlife.

"This small, yet diverse, forest is a tremendous resource, and the incorporation of an environmental education center will add another opportunity to expose students of Nicolet and the surrounding community to the outdoors," Rhude said.

The building, as proposed, will be outfitted with benches and tables. It also will include a device known as maple syrup evaporator that will be fueled by wood and be used to boil down maple syrup. It will be largely used for the school, though there is the possibility it could be opened to the entire community at select times.

District Administrator Rick Monroe and the School Board have been favorable toward Rhude's proposal. Monroe said other curricular areas, including the engineering-focused Project Lead the Way and technical education, will likely be involved in the actual construction of the building, which is expected to take between two to three weeks to complete.

"This will be an opportunity for the kids to get some real hands-on experience," Monroe said.

Rhude is seeking funding for the building from a number of sources, including the Nicolet Foundation.

The Glendale Plan Commission approved Rhude's proposal earlier this month.