Ryan Lensing

Lensing wants to develop an "Outdoor Classroom" equipped with a prairie to enhance the research opportunities of his environmental science classes where students can conduct ecological comparative studies between the prairie and the forest thereby creating a human altered landscape. Students would use field techniques, global positioning system (GPS) and satellite map data to create a Geographic Information System (GIS) for the research area. The main objective of the project is to restore a prairie on school grounds and continually increase its diversity each year by having students grow an assortment of plants. Students will also use cutting-edge environmental technology to monitor the progress of the prairie. Lensing believes an outdoor classroom will increase local biodiversity and provide a beautiful, natural space for students, teachers and the community to enjoy. This classroom will also raise awareness of conservation issues and help educate the public about conservation and restoration projects in Iowa. Lensing lives in West Des Moines.