Conserve your energy for outdoor classroom

MERRIMACK - Work on a new "outdoor classroom" at the Grater Woods Town Forest in Merrimack begins this week, and organizers are calling for all hands on deck.

The Merrimack Conservation Commission and The Friends of Grater Woods are sponsoring a "logs to lumber" project, the first installment of an outdoor education center near Merrimack Middle School. Neighboring Grater Woods, at 480 acres, is one of the town's largest conservation areas.

So far, a path has been cleared and an area leveled for an outdoor seating area. Next week's work will include help from Hank Somero, a New Ipswich-based professional sawyer, who will bring a portable mill to cut logs into planks for benches.

The Friends of Grater Woods are looking for people to help with the bench construction. Participants are asked to bring water, bug spray, sturdy walking shoes and good gloves.

"Logs to lumber" will take place Sept. 11 and 12. Work each day starts at 8 a.m.

For more information, call 494-7133 or 424-2642.

In March, the Merrimack

Conservation Commission

\ap Conservation Commission approved a plan for the outdoor center. While it will be open for public use, members have said it will be a prime meeting place for classes, a launch point for nature walks and a place where people can observe animals, plants and trees.

Besides science, students may be inspired to draw or keep journals for art and language arts classes, while social studies students could study the agricultural and historical points of the area.

Organizers have said building the center will unfold in phases, depending on weather conditions and funding. The eventual goal is to have a covered or enclosed instructional area with improved trails and platforms to view wildlife and the environment.

Grater Woods is home to beaver, fisher, deer, moose and turkey, plus habitats such as vernal pools and ponds.