The BC Wildlife Federation says a new educational wetland will be built at Mackenzie Secondary School next month.
Construction of the wetland will take place between June 3 and 4 through the BCWF’s Wetlands Education Program. The BCWF says will provide valuable habitat for wildlife and be an “outdoor learning lab” for students.
“We have found that students who receive hands-on participation in building a wetland at their school are more likely to care for it as it fosters a sense of ownership and stewardship over the wetland," said Alyssa Purse, wetlands education program co-ordinator for the BCWF.
"Raising a generation of youth who have become land-stewards and care about the environment is key to conservation and sustainability far into the future.”
The wetland at the school was first proposed by teacher Kyle Tapper, and will o provide an outdoor learning lab for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
The wetland was designed by Tom Biebighauser, a wildlife biologist and wetland ecologist with four decades of experience in wetland and stream restoration. Robin Annschild a wetland restoration specialist who has constructed 275 wetlands and restored 33 sites across B.C., will lead the construction.
The BCWF says it will also hold a three-day workshop in collaboration with McLeod Lake Indian Band to teach wetland restoration techniques to band members and District of Mackenzie staff.
The workshop, from May 31 to June 2, will be held alongside a native planting event at Morfee Elementary School on June 2, where an educational wetland was built in 2019.
Email Managing Editor Matt Preprost at editor@ahnfsj.ca
