Norman Vethe School Forest
                             M.G.S.D.

     The Norman Vethe School forest is located in the Village of Cottage Grove immediately east of Cottage Grove School.  It is named in recognition of the efforts of Principal Norman Vethe, who helped establish the site as a school forest. 

     The forest is on sixty-eight acres of glacial drumlin landscape owned by the Monona Grove School District.   There are four different plant communities on the land: deciduous forest, pine forest, planted prairie, and wet land - most of which were introduced or maintained by people.

     The School forest got its start in the early 1960's when 57 acres of farmland was purchased from the Peter Munson family.  In 1973, the school district began to actively develop the land.  A small pond was established and 2,000 coniferous trees were planted.

     In recent years the prairie has been developed and disturbance vegetation which was threatening the deciduous forest has been removed. 

     Each spring our School Forest Committee selects a Saturday to work in the forest doing everything from clearing brush to burning the prairie.  This is an excellent opportunity to help our forest continue to be an excellent living laboratory, and to spend a day outdoors with your family, community volunteers, the Cottage Grove Fire Department and our Cottage Grove School Forest Committee members

    Volunteers are available as Forest Guides for school groups wishing to explore the forest.