Mahtomedi’s O.H. Anderson Elementary School Nature Trail served as an outdoor classroom recently when students watched “Ellie,” a 1,800 pound Percheron horse, help log the school’s forest.

The trees, planted 60 years ago by area Boy Scouts, had become overcrowded. With the help of Ellie and her owner, Keith Stainer of Menomonie, Wis., trees were removed selectively to help improve growth of remaining trees.

All 670 students learned about forestry and horse logging, and had the opportunity to be outside on the school nature trail to watch Ellie in action.

To read articles about the event, read the White Bear Press article,  “Old fashioned forestry thins outdoor ‘classroom’” or the Star Tribune article, “A horse named Ellie does the teaching.”

– Anne Reich