The Elk Creeks Watershed Association
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| We recently completed a major phase of this project. We need your help to keep it going. Click here to find out how you can help. It is hard to imagine that the partially restored wetland between the Elk Ridge and Nottingham Schools was once a jumble of overgrowth. We are well on our way to transforming the tangle of invasive shrubs into an outdoor classroom where students can learn about our wetlands and the role we all play in maintaining the health of our watershed. With the professional expertise of ECWA's design consultant, LandStudies, Inc., a firm specializing in wetland design, we've been working with the Oxford Area School District (OASD), teachers and students to design outdoor education opportunities in multiple phases. In the end, we envision walking paths and boardwalks allowing access to various habitat areas, interpretive signs, and specific study stations along the way. There may also be bench areas to accommodate the casual passersby or an entire class of students. There's more to this project than clearing out invasive shrubs, planting native flora, and restoring the wetland area. The OASD teachers have been developing a curriculum from kindergarten to grade 12 to utilize this new natural educational resource. The Pennsylvania Department of Education is providing the teachers with supplies and literature. A number of teachers have visited other districts in the state that have created natural areas and integrated curricula. Educational opportunities will not be limited to the natural sciences, but will incorporate the arts and humanities as well. Funding for this project is being provided by a Growing Greener Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental (DEP) Protection, as well as a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The DEP Growing Greener Coordinator inspected the site in November, 2000 and gave us the official nod of approval to get things started. The OASD School Board approved the project in September, 2001. In May 2002, we completed major work toward transforming a two-year vision into a reality. There is still plenty of work to be done. What else do we need? Your help! Click here to find out how you can help
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For problems or questions regarding this web contact [ecwa@elkwatershed.org].
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