SWaMP helps with 3 Rs of Cary Woods Elementary Environmental Ed Project
The Saugahatchee Watershed Management Plan (SWaMP) has recently funded a project at the Cary Woods Elementary School, Respect, Replace and Restore- the 3 R’s of Cary Woods Elementary Outdoor Environment Project- educating all to preserve our environment- a school and community effort, to SWaMP for funding. The school is located in Auburn at 715 Sanders Street. Partners and advisors in the project include Debbie Brooks, Principal of Carry Woods Elementary School, Eric Reutebuch and Wendy Seesock, SWaMP Co-coordinators, Matt Dunn and Dan Ballard, City of Auburn Water Resources, Eve Brantley, ACES Watershed Program Specialist, Scott Kubiszyn of Nature’s Tap, and Corey O’Steen of Creative Habitats. The multi-faceted project involves environmental education, runoff management, rainwater harvest and community outreach.
Students learn stream bioassessment (video)
Strengthening environmental education through Exploring Alabama’s Living Streams curriculum.
Cary Woods science teachers will receive training in the Living Streams curriculum and be certified in water chemistry and bacteriological monitoring this summer by the Alabama Water Watch Program at Auburn University. Through the SWaMP grant, the school is acquiring the necessary resources and supplies for curriculum development and water testing including Enviroscapes, references books, water test kits, and kick nets for collecting aquatic fauna. Cary Woods science teachers and their students plan to team up with local AWW-certified volunteer water monitors from Save Our Saugahatchee (SOS) and Friends of Chewacla-Uphapee Watershed (CHEWUP) to conduct chemical and biological water testing in the Cary Woods Stream, a tributary of Saugahatchee Creek.
Stream Sampling Photo Gallery
Runoff Management. A large rain garden has been installed by Creative Habitats in front of the school to intercept and infiltrate stormwater runoff from school grounds before it enters storm drains. The rain garden reduces nonpoint source nutrient and sediment loading into Saugahatchee Creek, and is an excellent demonstration for stormwater management for the entire community.
Rainwater harvest. Two large rain tanks (620 gallon and 1,110 gallon Bushman tanks) have been installed by Natures Tap out of Birmingham, one next to the school garden plots, and a larger one between the old and new school buildings. Both tanks have integrated pump systems that enable watering of the school garden plots, shrubs and school landscape from runoff from the school’s rooftops. Capturing the first flush off rooftops in rain tanks decreases the runoff from impervious surfaces (rooftops) and uses stormwater for watering the landscape instead of potable water. These systems not only conserve valuable potable water, but also serve as highly visible water-conservation demonstrations to the community.
Rainwater Harvest Photo Gallery
Community fair. Teachers and students plan to conduct a ‘Respect, Replace and Restore – the 3 R’s of Cary Woods Elementary Outdoor Environment Project’ Community Fair to inform the general public about water conservation, nonpoint source pollution and how to reduce it, and the benefits of bioretention and rainwater harvesting as BMPs for reducing nutrient and sediment flow into local streams. The students will conduct the fair and educate the community by developing pamphlets, tri-boards, videos, photos; and demonstrate the effectiveness and usefulness of controlling stormwater runoff with bioretention areas, harvesting rainwater, water quality testing, and demonstrate the Enviroscape. The fair will occur during a school day and the public will be invited.
Water conservation practices such as rain harvest and rain gardens assist in the natural filtering of storm water by soil, replenish soil water storage, and decrease the use of valuable drinking water to maintain landscapes. As Alabama and the Saugahatchee Watershed continue to experience drought conditions and increasing demand for water, the need to conserve potable water will only grow in importance. The Cary Woods project is a shining example of conservation and stewardship for the entire community – go have a look!