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VERNON COUNTY SOIL and WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
EDUCATIONAL WETLAND DISPLAYS
June 1, 1995--December 31, 1996
The Vernon County Soil and Water Conservation District (VCSandWCD) is constructing a mobile functioning wetland and also construct and operate a functioning one-acre wetland on the Nevada Missouri School District's property. The wetland demonstrations will be used to inform citizens and students on the value and function of a wetland for improved water quality.
With the loss of over one-half of the wetlands in the United States and a continued loss of over 300,000 acres per year, students and citizens need to be informed on the importance of wetlands. The values and functions of a wetland need to be taught and utilized by our society. Therefore, we need to reinforce the idea of a wetland's ability to solve part of the environmental problems facing our society. The availability of these wetland projects will provide for many types of information and education activities. The Soil and Water Conservation District will be able to utilize these wetlands in their soil and water graduate course that is being offered to teachers. In addition, Cottey College and the High Schools will carry out continual education projects. Science clubs, biology classes, 4-H groups and FFA classes will incorporate the wetlands into their curriculum activities and school science fair projects. The wetland's 95-acre watershed contains pollution from road salts, automobiles and other urban chemicals. The watershed is located in a suburban setting and drains into a large public lake.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The education of individuals on the importance of wetlands and the significance of building new wetlands for nonpoint source pollution control are needed in our school systems. The mobile and outdoor wetlands will be available to all students and citizens in Vernon County as well as neighboring counties to learn the values of wetlands.
The main focus of the outdoor wetland is to: 1) demonstrate a functioning wetland; 2) demonstrate it's ability to improve water quality; and 3) to serve as an outdoor laboratory. The main focus of the mobile wetland will be for students to recognize the function and value of wetlands in controlling nonpoint pollution sources and the ability of a wetland to filter pollutants.
An evaluation process will be incorporated into monthly scheduled meetings. The meetings will begin in July 1995 and continue until July 1996. The meetings will include public school superintendents, teachers, and representatives from the University of Missouri Extension Office, Missouri Department of Conservation and the Soil and Water Conservation District. The University of Missouri Extension Office will develop an evaluation sheet for teachers, college students and other interested participants to complete after they have utilized the wetlands.
PRODUCTS
This project consists of two components: 1) Constructing a 3- by 6- feet functioning mobile wetland that will be used to demonstrate several functions of wetlands including point and nonpoint source pollution control. 2) Renovating an existing pond on the Nevada Missouri School District's property into a functioning wetland to demonstrate the many functions of wetlands. The Missouri Department of Conservation will provide technical assistance on the construction of the wetland project.
The mobile wetland will be designed to fit into the back of a pickup truck. The sides and base will be constructed out of thick plexiglass which will enable visibility of wetland functions. The display will consist of living wetland plants rooted in a soil medium. There will be a 3-inch reduction in elevation on the table from the input to the discharge. Polluted water will enter the model at the upper end by either a drip system or a high volume gate. The discharge will be a nozzle with a shut off valve. The mobile wetland will be used by the Vernon County rural and urban school systems, by civic groups and at local festivals. The wetland will be accompanied with activities on point and nonpoint source pollution, pollution control, siltation reduction, flood control and groundwater recharge.
The permanent wetland site on the Nevada Middle School grounds already has two existing ponds. The ponds are in a state of eutrophication and are surrounded by overgrown trees and shrubs. The shallow pond will need to be drained and redesigned into a wetland by installing a stoplog structure, screwgate and culverts. Certain areas will be riprapped, seeded and mulched. The wetland learning center will be fenced for liability reasons. The area will be used by the Nevada schools, Vernon County rural schools, the Vo-Tech schools, Cottey College and other interested citizens. A variety of activities will be developed for all age levels to be used at the site. In addition to being an outdoor educational area, it will also be a functioning wetland.
PROJECT SPONSOR
Vernon County Soil and Water Conservation District
COOPERATING AGENCIES
Environmental Protection Agency
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Ducks Unlimited
Nevada schools
Missouri Department of conservation
local FFA Chapter
Garden Club
Murphy Farms
CONTACT
Vernon County Soil and Water Conservation District
100 W. Allison
Nevada, MO 64772
Telephone: 417-667-7900 ext 3
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