WOW! Workshop Offered to Frederick
County Teachers

-Submitted by Jessica Hunicke
Project Manager, Frederick County
Watershed Management Section

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In January 2007, Frederick County Government’s Watershed Management Section (WMS) was awarded a $247,800 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) for the Urban Wetlands Program, Bennett Creek Watershed Pilot (UWP) project.  The goal of the project is to develop a comprehensive wetland strategy for a pilot watershed, Bennett Creek.  The grant includes amphibian, vegetation, and bird assessments; restoration projects; computer mapping of wetland areas in the watershed; and education and outreach to Frederick County teachers and students.  For more information on the results of the first year of the project, see the article posted under the Study section of the website.

In partnership with Environmental Concern, Inc., the WMS offered the WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands workshop to Frederick County teachers.  WOW! is a one-day workshop for educators during which a variety of classroom and hands-on activities are presented and an instructional guide that includes a collection of wetland activities and information is provided.  Throughout the course of the day, participants get a sampling of the 50 activities included in the guide.

On December 13th, 13 teachers from the Frederick County area gathered at the Browning Building in Pinecliff Park.  Casey King, with Environmental Concern, led the teachers through a number of activities educating them about characteristics that make wetlands unique such as their soil and vegetation.

Due to the cold and rainy weather, outside activities were limited to collecting soil samples and supplies to make a boat out of wetland vegetation.  Participants brought their soil samples back into the class room and used a Munsell Soil Book to determine whether the sample they had collected was considered a wetland soil.

The boat building supplies were used to build a boat small enough to fit within a tub but able to float.  Then pennies were loaded onto the bought.  The team whose boat could hold the greatest number of pennies won.  Way to go Kim and Whitney for their master boat building skills!

Environmental Concern also offers a course designed for educators who would like to construct and monitor a wetland on their school site.  WMS and Environmental Concern staff are currently investigating the feasibility of offering the course, POW! Planning of Wetlands!, in the spring.

If you would like more information on the WOW! or POW! workshops, please contact Environmental Concern at 410.745.9620. If you would like more information about the Urban Wetlands Program, Bennett Creek Watershed Project, please contact Jessica Hunicke at 301.600.1350 or jhunicke@fredco-md.net.

*WOW! and POW! workbook images courtesy of Environmental Concern, Inc.