Urban Wetlands Program:
School Projects

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The Urban Wetlands, Bennett Creek Watershed Pilot Program (UWP), moved into its Project Installation stage this fall with the completion of two wetland projects at Urbana High School and Windsor Knolls Middle School. Jessica Hunicke, Project Manager with Frederick County’s Watershed Management Section, led over 150 students in planting approximately 1,000 wetland plants at the school sites. MCWA partners Heather Montgomery and Darlene Bucciero (Frederick County DPW), Geordie Newman (Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage), April Wells (FCPS), and Karen Kelly-Mullin (US Fish & Wildlife Service) assisted in the restoration and education efforts.

Two additional wetland projects are currently in design phase and will be installed at the Worthington Manor golf course and the Mountainside Challenge and Retreat Center. Construction and installation of the two projects is scheduled for Summer 2010. Funding for all four projects is from a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 319(h) Program and passed through the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE).

Jessica distributing wetland plants

Student Planting at Urbana High

Darlene assisting a student with planting

Urbana High Biology students with a section of planted & flagged wetland plants

Karen Kelly Mullin leading a lesson on the filtering qualities of pervious & impervious surfaces

Introducing students to wetland plants at Windsor Knolls Middle School

Students planting beneficial grasses along upper banks of the WKMS wetland

A planted & flagged portion of Windsor Knolls Middle School's wetland

The "team" minus Heather (photographer) and Karen