Old Kentucky Home Middle School’s Wetland Teresa Doerr

Outdoor Classroom  Old Kentucky Home Middle School is in the process of developing an outdoor classroom in order to expand the learning environment available to the students.

Wetland  Early fall 06, a survey designed to find out what kind of features would be useful in an outdoor classroom was given to students, parents and teachers.  The one feature that all surveys indicated as desirable was a wetland

Wetland  The current wetland consists of a drainage channel that flows through a large culvert.  The depth of the water varies from 0-9 inches deep depending on the weather

Proposed Improvements  We would like to install a gate on the culvert in order to regulate the water depth.  Joe Grider from the Nelson County Vocational School and his students have offered to help.  Gale Hundley of the Nelson County Extension office has provided detailed plans for the gate  Money from two grants will fund the materials costs  By being able to regulate the water level, the school will have control over the types and health of organisms found in the water while overseeing safety concerns.  It would also allow students to set up real life environmental inquires. For example, how does the temperature and dissolved oxygen level change with the depth of water and how does that affect the aquatic organisms?

Liabilities  This wetland could be construed as an attractive nuisance thereby causing some liability to the school district.  Suggested methods of risk control ( Access should be controlled Access should be controlled Pupils should be supervised Pupils should be supervised Edges that are open for access should be gently sloping Edges that are open for access should be gently sloping Clear signage should be used at the access points Clear signage should be used at the access points Appropriate footwear should be worn. Appropriate footwear should be worn. Any adult acting in a supervisory role should have read the operating procedures and emergency action plan. Any adult acting in a supervisory role should have read the operating procedures and emergency action plan.

OKHMS Plan Risk Control  Maintain at a maximum depth 18 inches (recommended for safety) (  The edges will be maintained in a 20% or less slope. (  Access controlled through an aesthetically pleasing fence approximately 3 feet high.  In addition, wetland shrubs and plants will be planted near the edge to discourage casual access.  It is sited away from where students normally travel  Appropriate signs will be posted.  Groups using the wetland will be supervised at all times.  Develop waterside safety code for students (  Develop an emergency action plan how to rescue a person who has fallen in, how to rescue a person who has fallen in, resuscitation and first aid, resuscitation and first aid, how to call for assistance, how to call for assistance, what to do with other pupils during an emergency situation what to do with other pupils during an emergency situation  Regularly monitor and maintain the wetland area

Benefits of Using Wetland Areas  Since water fascinates students of all ages, it serves as a motivating element for instruction  Easy to demonstrate essential Core Content Systems Systems Energy flow Energy flow  Provides real life connections for interdisciplinary studies Sites showing curricula???? Sites showing curricula????  Enhances students’ environmental literacy  Provides habitat for local native species including locally threatened and endangered species.