LANDS and WATERS
A not-for-profit organization devoted to
watershed protection and education
Expansion of
our pilot school's demonstration site. (8/07)
Background: Daniels Run Elementary is named after the stream that flows through the school’s property. A small swamp wetland existed adjacent to that stream within the boundaries of the school’s land. As the surrounding areas were developed, the wetland became degraded and dysfunctional. In 2001, Sylvia Lang, a colleague, was the first to recognize the area as a possible wetland. One of LANDS and WATERS' goals was to restore the wetland.
Projects:
In 2006, LANDS and WATERS expanded our
environmental educational program with accompanying hands-on
conservation projects at
Two major construction projects were part of the expansion: a constructed marsh wetland and a bioretention facility.
Above left: Construction crew
placing waterproof liner at the bottom of the constructed wetland
Above right: View of wetland before planting,
note the overflow area in the foreground of the picture which releases
water into the natural wetland. The rocks in the rear of this
picture are the entry point for most of the stormwater that flows into
the wetland.
The constructed wetland was created adjacent to the natural wetland and is fed by stormwater runoff from the surrounding areas. Sometimes during a rain event, the water overflows from this marsh into the natural wetland enabling more water to reach and settle into the natural wetland. We anticipate that this increase in water will help the natural wetland return to a balanced state.
Above left: Daniels Run students
watering newly planted wetland plants Above right:
Daniels Run parent volunteer assisting in the planting of the wetland
The constructed wetland was completed in August, 2007. That fall students and volunteers planted 1,200 native wetland plants in the marsh as well as native plants in the swamp area, thus providing students with an opportunity to participate in a wetland-focused conservation activity. It has become one of the most popular components of Daniels Run's living classroom. To further the educational opportunity, LANDS and WATERS created a new instructional unit, Wetlands, that serves as the classroom component to the project.
Beginning excavation of bioretention area
The bioretention facility captures and retains stormwater runoff from a portion of the school building’s roof. This facility holds stormwater runoff for a short period of time to allow rainwater time to be absorbed by soil and vegetation thereby reducing stormwater runoff. The facility also functions as a filter to remove pollutants from storm water before entering Daniels Run Stream. Bioretention facilities are an important technique used in Low Impact Development and demonstrating such a facility at a school will help students, staff, and visitors understand this new concept and promote its use.
In addition to these two construction projects, several other conservation projects were added or existing ones enhanced. These included upland and bottomland forest enhancement and riparian expansion along the stream.