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CWEST - COMMUNICATING WETLANDS EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS TODAY MX964011
Impact/Purpose:
This project is designed to provide an educational trail and outdoor classroom for students of the Bay-Waveland School District and residents of the local community. The Board of Supervisors will test a trail design developed through the Greenways Project and the Board will provide incentives for Pearl River Community College to develop a class plan to teach building technology students about environmental best management practices (BMPs), environmental permitting and environmental regulations.
Specific outcomes of this project include:
1. A model trail that will be used by schools as an outdoor classroom and by the community as an element in a coordinated trail system throughout the county.
2. A brochure developed by 6th grade students will provide a guide for the trail, including identification of plants located along the trail pathway.
3. A class plan for community college students in building technology on construction BMPs, BMPs for development in sensitive areas, environmental regulations and environmental permitting.
4. A journal of program activities that will document and illustrate through tasks and photos the methodology used, the information and knowledge gained and the partnerships developed.
Description:
Gulf Coastal wetlands provide flood control, improve water quality, reduce erosion and provide critically important habitat for many fish and wildlife species. This proposal Communicating Wetlands Education for Students Today (CWEST)was envisioned by the Bay/Waveland School District to provide wetlands education to students by the development of a trail leading to a wetlands site on the campus of the Bay St. Louis High, Middle, and North Bay Elementary School. The goal is to enhance the student's understanding and appreciation of the wetlands areas so that they may become stewards of this valuable resource. The students will use science and technical tools and skills to evaluate this wetland area. This CWEST project will also bring environmental education to the Pearl River Community College by providing support to the development of a mini-curriculum that provides an overview of environmental regulations and permitting. A second contract through this agreement will provide a stipend to a second year building technology student to act as a construction coordinator on the trail project at the Bay St. Louis schools. This project compliments and is a collaborative project with the Hancock County Greenways Plan.
The Gulf of Mexico Program Habitat Focus Team's purpose is to identify and champion actions and/or projects that prevent losses of important Gulf habitats and to enhance/restore the functions and values of degraded Gulf habitats. Although this project does not specifically meet the Habitat objective, the Habitat team appreciates activities and projects that increase the public's understanding of the function and value of wetlands. This project does however meet the Gulf of Mexico Program's Objective 5 which is to by 2005, achieve improved regional awareness of the value of Gulf resources, key environmental issues, and actions underway or needed to solve the problems.