Solar lighting fixtures brighten North Woods School trails

A CERTs Seed Grant helped the North Woods School (ISD 2142 St. Louis County Schools) and numerous project partners fund and install solar-powered trail lighting to improve the safety and accessibility of a two-mile, multi-use trail located in the Field-North Woods School Forest. Jointly managed by Field Township, North Woods School, and the Minnesota DNR School Forest Program, the School Forest and its trail system provides both education and recreation opportunities to the school, community members and visitors alike. Investing in solar trail lights maintains visibility and security, particularly after sunset, and opens up new opportunities for engaging students in clean energy technology.

Community was always a strong part of this project and planning process. Students and community volunteers have been working on clearing and building the multipurpose, non-motorized trail system for over five years. Leadership from North Woods School Principal John Vukmanich helped secure donations of 50 acres, materials, and time from nearby property owners to help build the trail system. 

The trail itself promotes healthy activities like hiking and biking, provides low-cost activities for all to enjoy, encourages a strong connection with the north woods, nature and wildlife, and promotes outdoor education. Solar pathways provide new ways to engage students in these experiences and help provide a multifunctional outdoor classroom that can be enjoyed by all grade levels. Teachers and members of the project team have explored the potential for other remote solar-powered sensing devices to collect data on water and air quality for use in the classroom and in research, and they are making connections to how renewable energy is growing across Minnesota.

The Seed Grant project team researched available off-grid solar lighting technology and design elements that best fit the trail site and project goals for safety and accessibility, even in snowy conditions. Fundraising for and testing the system prior to installation ensured that the lighting quality met the project and site’s needs. With the design and installation led by a local installer, the lighting fixtures included two solar bridge lights and a small series of pathway lights.