Concord University Wetland Restoration & Construction Workshop

 

July 29-August 1, 2010

 

 

Small wetlands provide critical habitat to many species of amphibians, invertebrates, birds, and mammals. Unfortunately, many of these ecosystems have been lost to draining and filling throughout North America.  These landscape modifications are now affecting recovery efforts for endangered species, impairing water quality, increasing flooding, and reducing groundwater supplies. Fortunately, through techniques developed and tested by the Center for Wetlands and Stream Restoration, it’s now possible to construct wetlands that look and function similar to natural wetlands, with desired hydro-periods, aquatic vegetation, and animal life. You’ll learn how wetland projects can be planned in forested and open areas, on vast expanses of public land, and even on school grounds to clean runoff, benefit plants, animals, and people.

 

This hands-on workshop is designed for individuals interested in learning how to use low cost, highly effective techniques for restoring wetlands. You’ll learn how to select suitable locations for building wetlands, assess site conditions for determining the location, size, and type of wetland to be constructed, choose reliable construction techniques, work with heavy equipment operators, and establish native plants. We plan on building two wetlands, from start to finish, on the grounds at Concord University.

 

 

Who Should Attend?

Biologists, soil scientists, hydrologists, consultants, engineers, government personnel, developers, city planners, landscape architects, private land owners, NGO’s, and stewardship groups…basically anyone considering wetland restoration. Space is limited to the first 30 who register.

 

 

Cost?

$300.00/Scholarships Available: Participants will be provided with food and dormitory space at Concord University, hand-out materials, signed copy of Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair book by Thomas R. Biebighauser, WOW Curriculum Guide, and an attractive wetland t-shirt (we are looking at providing green water bottles to everyone at the training/lets talk about the shirt).

 

 

What to Bring

Come prepared to be outside in hot, muggy weather with little or no shade.  Participants should wear appropriate field clothing, bring rain gear and a hard hat if you have one (we’ll have extras). Be ready to work outdoors and don’t forget to bring gloves, plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen.

 

 

Wetland Workshop Headquarters:

Concord University

Athens West Virginia

 

Who are the primary instructors?

Tom Biebighauser has restored over 1,200 wetlands in 14-States and 2-Canadian Provinces. He teaches practical, hands-on wetland restoration workshops across North America where participants learn about wetland restoration and drainage by becoming involved in the design and construction of naturally appearing and functioning wetlands in only one day. Tom has developed highly successful and inexpensive techniques for restoring and repairing wetlands on mined lands, steep slopes, mountain ridges, large valleys, timber sale areas, urban areas, and at schools. He’s written 3-books about restoring wetlands:  A Guide to Creating Vernal Ponds in 2003, Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair in 2007, and Wetland Restoration and Construction Technical Guide (in press). For more information about the wetlands he’s established please visit:

www.wetlandsandstreamrestoration.org

http://picasaweb.google.com/tombiebighauser

 

John Byrd retired in 2000 after 31 years of teaching biology, is presently serving as a science consultant for Anderson County Schools in Clinton, Tennessee.  One of the more enjoyable requirements of his job is to blend professional development with the Anderson County Schoolyard Wetlands and Natural Areas project. He also coordinates the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization (CRESO), an education/research program that involves middle and high school students in long-term monitoring of biological diversity in east Tennessee. This is an ongoing partnership between the Department of Energy, Anderson County Schools, and Oak Ridge City Schools.

To Register: Download the full registration form at http://www.easterncoal.org/summer_practicum2010.html, and select the Wetlands Training course. If you have trouble registering, contact Cynthia Wildfire at program@easterncoal.org or 304-294-1005.

 

For more information, please contact:

Eastern Coal Regional Roundtable

Cynthia Wildfire, Danny Allgeier, or Dvon Duncan

304-294-1005, 304-591-7005

Or

Tom Biebighauser

(606)784-6428 ext. 102 office

 

 

Concord University

Wetland Restoration and Construction Workshop

Agenda

 

 

 

Thursday, July 29

 

6:00 p.m.           Registration at Concord University, North Tower Lobby, see  www.easterncoal.org for additional information  

 

7:00 p.m.           Welcome by Dvon Duncan, Eastern Coal Regional

 

7:15 p.m.           Restoring Wetlands in Forests, Fields, and Urban Areas presentation by Tom Biebighauser

 

 

Friday, July 30

 

Objective: Establish a naturally appearing ephemeral wetland using an aquatic safe liner for outdoor education and to provide habitat for salamanders, frogs, toads, and bats.

 

8:00 a.m.           Meet at the Dining Hall.

 

8:15 a.m. Wetland Construction Begins

 

12:00 p.m.         Lunch

 

12:30 p.m.         Wetland construction continues

 

 

While construction is taking place:

 

4:30 p.m.           Finish wetland construction for the day

 

 

7:30 p.m.           Constructing Naturally Appearing Wetlands for Treating Storm Water Presentation by Tom Biebighauser. Meeting room at Student Center State Room

 

 

Saturday, July 31

 

Objective:  Establish two naturally appearing rain-garden (wet-meadow wetland) that will treat storm water runoff and benefit butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

 

8:00 a.m.           Meet at Dining Hall

 

8:15 a.m.

 

12:00 p.m.         Lunch

 

12:30 p.m.         Wetland construction continues

 

While construction is taking place:

 

4:30 p.m.           Finish wetland construction for the day

 

7:30 p.m.           Using Wetlands for Outdoor Classrooms Presentation by John Byrd, Science Program Coordinator, Anderson County Schools, Tennessee.

 

 

Sunday, August 1

 

Objective:  Techniques for teaching students outdoors at wetlands. Introduction to WOW (Wonders of Wetlands) Curriculum Guide

 

Meet at Dining Hall

 

8:00 a.m.           Introduction to WOW, Wonders of Wetlands             Tom Biebighauser

 

8:30 a.m.           Sampling Wetland Plants and Animals                          John Byrd

 

9:30 a.m.           Do you Dig Wetland Soil, WOW                                     Byrd and Biebighauser

Outside: Digging Underground (using a post-hole digger to investigate layers, colors, and the water table)….applications:

 

10:30 a.m.         Life in the Fast Lane, WOW                  Tom Biebighauser

 

11:00 a.m.         Wetland Metaphors WOW                     John Byrd

 

11:30 a.m.         Presentation of certificates, evaluations           Dvon Duncan

 

Adjourn