Rowan County Middle School Wetland Project
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:
http://picasaweb.google.com/tombiebighauser
For a listing of wetlands established at schools, please visit:
http://www.wetlandsandstreamrestoration.org/Training/Wetlands%20Designed%20and%20Built%20for
%20Outdoor%20Classrooms.pdf
Possible locations for establishing small wetlands for outdoor education were identified 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 and a budget were developed for establishing naturally appearing and functioning
wetlands at the school for 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 to increase wildlife viewing
opportunities and enhance the beauty of a school 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:
http://www.thewetlandtrust.org/wetlandrestorationbook.html
Three locations suitable for establishing wetlands were 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 runoff.
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 soils the 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
A variety of native trees may be planted around the new wetland. It is recommended that trees
seedlings be purchased from the Kentucky Division of Forestry:
http://forestry.ky.gov/statenurseriesandtreeseedlings/Pages/default.aspx
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:
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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,
(http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhpubrare.htm)
Viewing Scopes
Acorn Naturalists (http://www.acornnaturalists.com) 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: www.wetlandsandstreamrestoration.org
e-mail: tombiebighauser@fs.fed.us
January 6, 2012
Wetland locations #1 and 2
Wetland location #3