CONTENTS
November 1997
International School Ground Day...
Ridgeway School Fights Back!...
Why are Wetlands Important?
St. Annes Catholic Elementary School...
Adopt-A-Pond in the U.K.?
We're Growing!
International School Ground Day
by Ginette Stevens, Adopt-A-Pond Assistant
Students of R.H. Cornish P.S. have been active participants in the Adopt-A-Pond programme since the creation of a schoolyard wetland in 1993. This spring was no exception as students were out in full force to take part in "International School Ground Day" on May 2, 1997. With help frog Greenbrick Road, they planted over a dozen donated tress around their play area. Perennials were transplanted from their frontyard to the backyard, small trees were planted around the area. There was also a clean up of the pond.
R.H. Cornish Public School successfully established a wildlife habitat in their schoolyard. Their wildlife habitat consists of a frog pond, three outside depots, and habitats designed to attract butterflies, bees, moths and hummingbirds, as well as other bird species. Community members assisted by donating their time, labour, materials and equipment.
They have been presented awards from: the Durham Board of Education for the "looking good' contest, the Canadian Wildlife Service "Habitat 2000" programme and the Ontario Horticultural Association "Environment Award". They Continue to preserve and protect this area, keep up the good work!
RIDGEWAY PUBliC SCHOOL FIGHTS BACK!
By Heather Faust, Adopt-A-Pond Assistant
It is our pleasure to announce that the schoolyard naturalization project at Ridgeway P.S. is still going strong. Teachers Jane Kuipers and Debbie Flagg, have spearheaded several projects in the hope of creating a healthy and productive learning environment for their students.
As teachers of a special education class they've faced some unique challenges and opportunities. It has been their observation, and that of many experts, that behaviour can be modified by changing the environment. The projects created by this group have helped students to cooperate with one another, build new relationships, and apply their lessons in hands-on situations. In addition, the children are helping to create a natural schoolyard that promotes positive behavioral changes in the students, teachers, and community members alike.
Since 1994, local schools, teachers, parents, residents, conservation authorities, and the local government, have collaborated in a truly global effort. As teacher Jane Kuipers writes, "...[the students] growing awareness and concern for the environment enabled them to be leaders and young environmental advocates during their work project. They [have accepted] the responsibility with enthusiasm, dedication, and a co-operative spirit. They [have] a continued sense of pride and accomplishment that goes beyond the classroom walls".
Ridgeway P.S. is fortunate to have a natural pond right in their yard. However, trouble started in 1994 when purple loosestrife reared it's threatening head. Upon realization that the pond was in trouble, recruiting began and funds were collected to try and stop the invasion. For two years the battle continued with little success.
Allowing the pond evolve naturally and hoping for a natural loosestrife predator would have been ideal, however, the likelihood of total pond loss was great. Experts agreed that in this case, there just wasn't enough time to experiment with biological control.
In November 1996, the Ridgeway pond received a dramatic face-lift. Excavation removed the massive purple loosetrife root system. The sand and gravel from the pond floor was replace and the loosestrife destroyed. The pond banks were then leveled, re-seede, and planted with native species.
All those invloved have contributed to the success of the project. "Over the past three years we have managed to encourage approximately 350 people to take part in some way... " writes Jane Kuipers. "All that came had one thing in common: ENTHUSIASM!"
By Ginette Stevens, Adopt-A-Pond Assistant
There are many reasons why wetlands are important. They provide shelter, food and breeding spots for animals, as well as they serve as stopovers for migrating birds. Wetlands are also a natural system for controlling water quality. The vegetation "catches" nutrients such as sediments and phosphorus, which they absorb. By moderating water flow from the land and then slowly releasing it wetlands help reduce flooding.
WETLAND DEMONStrATION AREA
The Metro Toronto Zoo knows how important wetlands are, and how important it is to educate and inform zoo visitors on the protection and the importance of wetlands. In 1994, the Zoo started the process of constructing a wetland habitat. First four connecting ponds were excavated, then the central marsh. The four connecting ponds represent different types of vegetation: Cattail Marsh, Bulrush Marsh, Bul-reed Marsh and a Shrub Marsh. The Cattail Marsh (the first marsh) receives its water from stormwater, groundwater, and precipitation. The Bulrush Marsh (the second marsh) receives it water from the zoo waterway by an underground pipe which connects the two. The remaining marshes receive water from the second marsh as well as precipitation. Surrounding the area is a meadow with a variety of native grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees. Just beyond the wetlands there is a created snake hibernaculum.
The purpose of the Wetland Habitat Demonstration Area is to:
- create wetland habitat for plant and animal life
- reduce the nutrient and algae growth in the zoo waterway by creating a biological filter
- educate and inform zoo visitors on the importance and conservation of wetlands.
This area is already flourishing. There have been sightings of toad eggs, many frog and toad tadpoles, leopard frogs and green frogs. As well, many birds and small mammals utilize this area.
The Wetland Demonstration Area will educate visitors on how they can participate by creating their own wetland, the natural occurrence of species once a wetland has been frogs, fishes and aquatic plants. It also includes a cross-section of a beavers lodge.
Pond Life is a four year project running in the U.K. dedicated to restoring, creating and managing ponds. Britain has a vast number of ponds, almost one in every field. Approximately 60% of ponds have disappeared. Farmers viewed ponds as wastelands and either filled in, seeded them or fenced them in and abandoned them.
The concern for the loss of wetlands initiated this project. Pond wardens, are volunteers, responsible for monitoring and manage ponds within their area. Britain has a 'no net loss' policy, when a pond is destroyed one must be create to replace it.
Andrew Hull, for Pond Life, visited the Metro Toronto Zoo in May to discuss the common goals and objectives with Adopt-A-Pond. Linking information throughout our own backyards is an invaluable experience. By expanding interest beyond our communities we may help to increase global awareness.
Twelve schools from Ontario have been paired with twelve schools in Britain to participate in an international wetland information exchange. Students will have the opportunity to discuss ideas and plans concerning protection, restoration or creation of wetland habitats, as well as information on local wetland species. Teachers will also have the opportunity to exchange ideas with educators tackling similar issues in Britain schools.
We hope that this will be a fun, exciting and interesting opportunity for all students and teachers will experience. Students will understand first-hand that by tackling issues locally and in our own backyards, we can have a positive impact on wetland protection on a global scale.
A number of schools have adopted local wetlands. Wetland adoption may involve picking up garbage around the wetland, monitoring wildlife on a yearly basis, and/or establishing wildlife habitats around the wetland. Schools which have adopted local wetlands are:
Hemlock, Atikokan BOE
Carleton BOE
St.Thomas, Carleton RCSSB
St.Matthew the Evangelist, Dufferin-Peel RCSSB
Bishop Francis Allen, Dufferin-Peel RCSSB
Philip Popock, Dufferin-Peel RCSSB
Queen of Heaven, Dufferin-Peel RCSSB
Grand Valley, Dufferin County BOE
Dr. F. J. Donevan CI, Durham BOE
Lakewoods, Durham BOE
Highbush, Durham BOE
Exeter, Durham BOE
Bennington Heights, East York BOE
Cresent Town, East York BOE
St.Mary's, Essex County RCSSB
Children's Rehab Centre BOE
Gosfeild North Central, Essex County BOE
Rideau Heights, Frontenac BOE
JR Henderson, Frontenac
James A. Magee, Grey County BOE
Seneca Jr., Hamilton BOE
Our Lady of Fatima, Hasting-Prince Edward RCSSB
Holy Family School, Lakehead District RCSSB
St. John Basco, Lanark-Leeds Glenville RCSSB
Brickstreet, London BOE
Manor and Highland Park, London BOE
St.Timothy's, Metro Toronto RCSSB
McGillivray Central, Middlesex County BOE
Colborne Street, Middlesex County BOE
Stevensville, Niagara South BOE
Forest Valley OEC, North York BOE
Highland, North York BOE
Bathurst, North York BOE
Regina, Ottawa BOE
Dr.F.J.MacDonald, Ottawa BOE
King Lear Sr., Oxford Country RCSSB
Ridgeview, Peel BOE
Hickory Wood, Peel BOE
John Fraser, Peel BOE
Marvin Heights, Peel BOE
Ridpath, Peterborough County BOE
Outdoor Education Centre, Peterborough County BOE
Chief Dan George, Prince of Edward County BOE
St.John's, Red Lake RCSSB
Samuel Hearne, Scarborough BOE
Banting and Best, Scarborough BOE
John G. Deifenbaker, Scarborough BOE
Rouge Valley, Scarborough BOE
Meadowvale, Scarborough BOE
Morrish, Scarborough BOE
Banting Memorial, Simcoe County BOE
Angus, Simcoe County BOE
WR Best Memorial, Simcoe County BOE
Tiffin Centre for Conservation, Simcoe BOE
Outdoor Education Centre, Simcoe
Copper Cliff, Sudbury BOE
Swansea, Toronto BOE
High Park Alternative, Toronto BOE
Orde Street, Toronto BOE
Grand River CI, Waterloo County BOE
Wrigley Corners, Waterloo County BOE
John Black, Wellington County BOE
Paisley Road, Wellington County BOE
Priory Park, Wellington County BOE
MS Hetherington, Windsor BOE
Riverside, Windsor BOE
Concord, Windsor BOE
Edward Johnson, Windsor BOE
Victoria Terrace, Windsor BOE
Pine River OEC, City of York BOE
Wells Street, York Region BOE
Huron Heights, York Region BOE
Ramer Wood, York Region BOE
Roy H.Crosby, York Region BOE
Newmarket, York Region BOE
Vivian OEC, York Region BOE
Unionville, York Region BOE
Christ the King, York Region RCSSB
Sheridan College, Brampton
Green Acres Private Outdoor Education Centre, Markham
Schools which have created wetlands:
Johnson-Tarbutt, Central Algoma BOE
St. Matthew the Evangelist, Durham Region RCSSB
Brock District, Durham BOE
RH Cornish, Durham BOE
Anderson CVI, Durham BOE
Sun Parlor, Essex County BOE
Northlea, East York BOE
Broadacres, Etobicoke BOE
Islington Middle School, Etobicoke BOE
Arch Street, Ottawa BOE
Alloa, Peel BOE
Pleasant Corners, Prescott-Russell County BOE
WA Porter CI, Scarborough BOE
William Tredway, Scarborough BOE
Anson Taylor, Scarborough BOE
Ecole Secondaire Theiault, Timmins RCSSB
Laurel Creek Nature Centre, Waterloo Region
Marden, Windsor BOE
Christ the King, Windsor RCSSB
St.Annes, York Region RCSSB
Joseph A Gibson, York Region BOE
Stephanie Buckland, homeowner
Other:
Kew Beach School, City of Toronto BOE
-Created a garden
Fred A. Hamilton, Wellington County BOE
-Adopted poison arrow frog
* If we have omitted your school, please contact Adopt-A-Pond..