Rowan County Middle School Wetlandproject
Rowan County Middle School WetlandProject
Thomas R. Biebighauser
November 24, 2010
Introduction
School Districts across Kentucky are restoring wetlands and streams for use as outdoor classrooms, and to help the environment. A total of nine wetlands have been built at Rowan County Schools (Clearfield Elementary, McBrayer Elementary, Rodburn County High School, and Rodburn Elementary School). Funding is available from the Sheltowee Environmental Education (SEEC), a local, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization for building wetlands at the new Rowan County Middle School.
Photographs showing wetlands restored at schools are available for viewing at:
For a listing of wetlands established at schools, please visit:
Possible locations for establishing small wetlands for outdoor educationwereidentified at Rowan County Middle School by Principal Mr. Jay Padula, Teacher Ms. Jennifer Pecco, and by Mr. Thomas Biebighauser (Volunteer, SEEC)on December 16, 2011. The sites were revisited on January 6, 2012 by Mr. Padula, Ms. Pecco, Mr. Nicholas Pecco, and Mr. Tom Biebighauser. Design factors anda budget were developed for establishingnaturally appearing and functioning wetlandsat the schoolfor science and mathematics investigations.
Purpose and Need
Wetlands provide great opportunities for outdoor learning. Students can better retain science and mathematics knowledge by experiencing lessons firsthand. Wetlands are rare habitats in Kentucky. There are few places where students can go to experience these fascinating ecosystems.
Wetland can be built to clean run-off, reduce flooding, and recharge groundwater, thereby benefitting local communities. Wetlands can also be designed toincrease wildlife viewing opportunities and enhance the beauty of aschool grounds.
The goal of the project would be to establish naturally appearing and functioning wetlands that would not require maintenance. The wetlands would be restored using the techniques described in Wetland Restoration and Construction-A Technical Guide by Thomas R. Biebighauser:
Three locations suitable for establishing wetlandswere identified at Rowan County Middle School. These would be within the constructed storm water basin in front of the school. The wetlands would measure from approximately 20 x 30-feet to 30 x 40-feet in size. They would be shallow, less than 15-inches deep. Slopes surrounding the wetlands would be gradual, 5-percent or less. The wetlands would be designed to be supplied with groundwater and from surface run-off.
Mosquito numbers should be reduced by establishing the wetlands. The small temporary pools of water that occur in the storm water basin now only support mosquitoes. The restored wetlands will contain water longer, supporting dragonflies, salamanders, frogs, and toads that will eat mosquitoes.
The wetlands can be expected to increase the capacity of the storm water basin, reducing flooding downstream. The soil that is removed to build the wetlands would be spread on the slopes surrounding the basin to improve student access, and make it easier to mow around the edges of the outdoor classroom.
The project would improve how the storm water basin functions by accomplishing the following:
- Sediment that has accumulated in the storm water basin would be removed.
- Compacted soils in the bottom of the storm water basin would be loosened by using an excavator so that precipitation can soak into the ground, and plants can grow.
- Small mounds of soil placed in the basin would provide sites for shrubs and trees to grow. The trees that grow on these mounds would help remove storm water, provide shade for students, and enhance the beauty of the basin.
- Slopes would be kept gradual, and the wetland basins restored by using low profiles to maintain overland flow under flood conditions. No dams would be built.
The wetlands would be designed to provide habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, bats, crustaceans, amphibians, and reptiles. The wetlands may also provide habitat for less common species such as the spotted salamander, wood frog, spadefoot, and fairy shrimp. The wetlands would be large enough for 30 or more students to investigate without crowding.
Topsoil would be saved and spread following construction. Small dips and piles of soil would be placed randomly in the wetlands to create pit and mound topography. The piles would vary in size and height and would not be compacted so they would grow aquatic plants, shrubs, and trees. Logs, branches, and leaves would be added to each wetland to improve habitat for wildlife.
Exposed soils would be sown to wheat and mulched with leaves and wheat straw.
Students would help plant and seed native flowering plants around the new wetlands. A variety of native trees and shrubs would be planted in and around the wetlands.
Contracting & Supplies
It is recommended that a Service Contract be used to build the wetlands. Under a Service Contract, a heavy equipment operator and machine would be hired by the hour for completing the work. The award of the contract would be based on a combination of factors that include: ability to provide the required heavy equipment, performance operating heavy equipment, experience restoring wetlands, and price. Copies of requisitions and contracts that include an experience questionnaire, equipment questionnaire, and specifications are available from Tom Biebighauser. The heavy equipment should be the size and type needed for the establishment of wetlands, meeting the following minimum standards:
Excavator
100 or 200 Series
80HP minimum
22,500 lbs minimum
Bucket that is 42-inches wide or wider
Please note that a backhoe, skid steer, dozer, or Bobcat is not acceptable for building the wetlands.
For safety you must complete a check for buried utilities prior to construction. Any buried utilities that are in the area must be marked so they can be avoided. The wetlands cannot be built unless this critical step is completed. The wetlands should not be built over buried electric, gas, phone lines, or drain-lines. It is the law that you call 811 before digging, and it can take 3-days for them to respond and check for buried utilities.
Please purchase wheat to be sown on exposed soilsthe same day the wetlands are completed for controlling erosion. Do not use rye or oats, wheat works best and is non-invasive.
Please collect around 18-large garbage bags of leaves for the wetland project. The students can add the leaves to the completed wetland to improve habitat for salamanders and invertebrates.
Purchase straw to use as mulch. All areas of exposed soil should be covered with a layer of wheat straw to reduce erosion and to increase plant survival. Do not use hay as it contains too many weeds that can be difficult to control later.
An assortment of potted native aquatic and terrestrial plants may be obtained from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources in Frankfort for use in and around the wetlands. These can be planted by students after the wetland is constructed. A post-hole digger works great for creating holes for the plantings.
In order to receive these plants, you may need to enroll your outdoors classroom as a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources “Backyard Habitat.” You’ll be sent a Backyard Habitat kit when you sign up. The cost for the Backyard Habitat kit is $15.00. Here’s who to contact about this program:
Coordinator
Native Plant Program, Information/Education Division
Kentucky Department of Natural Resources
#1 Game Farm Road, Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-5280
Avariety of native trees may be planted around the new wetland. It is recommended that trees seedlings be purchased from the Kentucky Division of Forestry:
Permit Needs
A floodplain permit may be needed to build these wetlands. Please contact the Rowan County Floodplain coordinator, Mr. Bobby Wells, to discuss. The following points may be brought out in your discussion:
- Soil will be removed from the basin and placed on higher ground.
- The compacted soil in the basin will be loosened so they absorb more water.
- The stream channel and banks of the stream will not be disturbed or changed.
- The basin can be expected to capture and clean more run-off following construction.
- Excavation will be completed in one day, and be supervised by Tom Biebighauser.
- Tom Biebighauser has discussed the project with Ms. Barbara Scott, Kentucky Division of Water.
Funding
The recommended budget for this project is attached. The budget can be modified to meet your needs.
The Sheltowee Environmental Education Coalition (SEEC)is willing to provide up to $2,000 towards building the wetlands. SEEC is a nonprofit 501(c)3 that helps schools and private landowners restore wetlands. SEEC prefers to pay the excavator or suppliers direct instead of the school for portions of the project. The school is asked to approve a one-page agreement with SEEC stating that they plan to maintain the new wetlands for the next 10-years to receive the funding (attached).
It is recommended that the school consider contacting the following organizations for additional funding to help complete the project:
Lowes Foundation
Wal-Mart Foundation
Eastern Kentucky PRIDE
Rowan County High School
A repair is needed on one of the wetlands at the Rowan County High School. This wetland is the old farm pond that was present on the site before the High School was built. Water is flowing over the low dam on the farm pond into another wetland, causing erosion. A gradually sloped spillway would be constructed on the pond to handle overflow, and the dam would lowered and repaired.
Scheduling
Tom Biebighauser is available to assist with your wetland project. Please contact him to schedule a date for construction when you are ready. Tom can bring rakes and shovels the students can use to help with the wetland project on the day of construction.
Please consider purchasing these items to help students investigate their new wetland ecosystem:
Bat Roosting Boxes.
Two or more rocket style bat roosting boxes may be placed near the wetlands to improve educational opportunities relating to these often misunderstood mammals. The boxes may be mounted on 2-inch diameter steel pipes for longevity. The rocket bat box is very successful design that is in use worldwide. Materials will cost approximately $100.00/box.
Bluebird nest boxes
Building and placing nest boxes for bluebirds will improve wildlife viewing and educational opportunities around the school. Tree swallows are also likely to use bluebird boxes placed near the wetland. At least10 boxes may be built and with materials costing around $5.00/box.
Track Station
Students can discover what wildlife species visited the farm by examining tracks left behind on a tracking station. A tracking station is like a small sandbox, only it is build to be level with the surrounding ground. It’s best to keep a plastic rake nearby so students can smooth the surface after each investigation. Easy to use track identification guides are available for free off the internet.
Interpretive Signs
Small signs are good way of explaining the wetland and its features. The company Nova Color, Inc. produces signs that are both attractive and durable. Aluminum signs, 9 inches x 12 inches, 3/8-inch thick, dark bronze detail, light bronze background, dark bronze post. The customer must supply line drawing and text that is camera ready.
Nova Color Inc.
2641 Industrial Drive
Ogden, UT 84401 USA
(801) 621-7840
Nets
Nets with fine mesh (1/8” or less) so that students will be able to capture tadpoles and small invertebrates. Costs average $20.00/net.
Rubber Boots
Purchasing rubber barn boots for students to wear when investigating the wetland can help keep them dry and reduce mud tracked into the school. These boots can be shared by classes and typically cost around $10/pair.
Field Guides
“A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Ponds” by Leo Kenny and Matt Burne @ $12.00/each, (
Viewing Scopes
Acorn Naturalists ( sells a great Two-Way Magnifying Viewer (#T-1245) for use examining wetland life for $8.95 each. You may wish to purchase a couple of these.
Prepared by:
Thomas R. Biebighauser
Wildlife Biologist & Wetland Ecologist
Sheltowee Environmental Education Coalition
Center for Wetlands and Stream Restoration
3415 Sugar Loaf Mountain Road
Morehead, KY 40351
Phone: (606) 356-4569
web-site:
e-mail:
January 6, 2012
