You must credit Diedra Laird of the Charlotte Observer if you use any of these photos for any purpose. Thanks!
Namaste Rando, 7, is excited as she observes a caddisfly, one of the types of insects that live in the wetlands here, as students observe different types of native insects at tables set up next to Little Sugar Creek. About 40 students from a CMS summer camp did a field trip Tuesday July 30, 2013 to the Hidden Valley Ecological Garden in the Hidden Valley area, at the headwaters of Little Sugar Creek. They learned about the importance of water quality, observed insects and plants in the area and how flash floods can develop. They also participated in making a floating wetland which was installed in the wetland area of the garden. CMS, Arts & Science Council and Storm Water Services are trying to teach kids at a summer camp this year about the inter-relationship of waterways and urban areas. They're learning that fish and insects live in city streams, and how flash floods develop. Diedra Laird -
Kids help spread dirt in a floating wetland before adding plants to it. The floating wetland was later installed in the water of the wetland area.
Mykenzie Morris, 9, and Abigail Ibeanu, 9, help spread dirt in a floating wetland before adding plants to it. The floating wetland was later installed in the water of the wetland area.
Kids watch as Libby Withrow (far left, a "camp mom" from Irwin Academic Center) and participating ASC members describe the life in Little Sugar Creek and dig for insect species. Ciara Maddox of ASC is doing some dredging for insects at back right.
Kids plant plants in a floating wetland. The floating wetland was later installed in the water of the wetland area.
Kids help spread dirt in a floating wetland before adding plants to it. The floating wetland was later installed in the water of the wetland area.
Allyson Waddell, 7, and Alanna Ricks, 7, observe samples of different types of insects that live in the wetlands here, as students observe different types of native insects at tables set up next to Sugar Creek.
Kids play in the dirt as they help spread dirt in a floating wetland before adding plants to it. The floating wetland was later installed in the water of the wetland area.
LeyannaWagnor observes different types of insects that live in the wetlands here, as students observe different types of native insects at tables set up next to Little Sugar Creek.
Xavier Avery, 8, and ZyanBoze, 9, get tangled up as they observe samples of different types of insects that live in the wetlands here, as students observe different types of native insects at tables set up next to Little Sugar Creek.
JaylenMoten, 6, helps plant plants in a floating wetland. The floating wetland was later installed in the water of the wetland area.
Charles Smith, 6, (middle) helps plant plants in a floating wetland. The floating wetland was later installed in the water of the wetland area.
Mykenzie Morris, 9, watches as Abigail Ibeanu, 9, picks up a clod of dirt as kids participate in Tuesday's summer camp by spreading dirt in a floating wetland before adding plants to it. The floating wetland was later installed in the water of the wetland area.
Students observe different types of native insects at tables set up next to Little Sugar Creek.
John McCulloch of Char-Meck Storm Water Services (back right) and other Storm Water Services Employees lift and carry a floating wetland planted with water loving plants by students at the camp for installation into the water of the wetland area at Hidden Valley Ecological Garden.
John McCulloch of Char-Meck Storm Water Services (back left) and other Storm Water Services Employees lift and carry a floating wetland planted with water loving plants by students at the camp for installation into the water of the wetland area at Hidden Valley Ecological Garden.
Kyle Hall and John McCulloch of Char-Meck Storm Water Services place a floating wetland planted with plants by students into the water of the wetland area at Hidden Valley Ecological Garden.
Kyle Hall and John McCulloch of Char-Meck Storm Water Services place a floating wetland planted with plants by students into the water of the wetland area at Hidden Valley Ecological Garden.