Watershed Protection Grant - 2007 Projects
2007 Trail Reconstruction and Buffer Planting- Troy Howard Middle School
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Inspired to incorporate their garden program, watershed and forest into a manageable outdoor teaching lab that can be accessed by all students and community members, the students at the Troy Howard Middle School, researched and designed several possible watershed restoration projects to improve the water quality along the shores of the Little River feeder stream and pond in Belfast, ME. With help from Kid's Consortium, Bank of America, CMP, and Maine DEP the group of 350 students planted vegetation, spread erosion control mix and designed a buffered pathway along the school pond and trail to the local YMCA.
After extensive research into watersheds, ecology, processes, sources of pollution and its effects, as well as methods to control erosion, the students designed and planned several ways to reduce runoff and improve their schools watershed. The students created a more defined and gently sloped access area to the water- to limit foot traffic and erosion. They also modified gardening practices to prevent any possible run off situations. Erosion control mix was added to areas in which the sod had become highly compacted and impervious. The students planted 300 conifers and 100's of butterfly and bird friendly plants along the shoreline to increase filtering of runoff. Lastly, they designate a “no mow” area.
The culmination of the student's efforts was presented to the community at an Educational Fair in June of 2007. The students' work researching and planning during the school year and a day of physical labor have made a real difference in the quality of their local pond for all to enjoy!
2007 Gardner Lake Demonstration Project - Washington Academy
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Don Sprangers' high school students wanted to address the recent impacts of development along Gardner Lake shorline. Their project focused on creating attractive vegetative buffers designed to protect water quality. They selected a site along the shores of Gardner Lake in East Machias at the public boat launch. This site was ideal not only is it familiar to the students, it is visable to the public. There was a lot of erosion from foot traffic, and road run off that was polluting the lake.
The students from Washington Academy were joined by students from the Whiting Village Home School Group to impliment their project. The students worked with the Washington County Soil and Water Distric and East Machias River Watershed Council to select plants appropriate for the soil and location and to develop a landscape plan. An overview of the erosion issues at the site was presented along with plans to restore the shoreline adjacent to the beach. Equipped with spades and shovels students teamed up and planted an estimate of 400 plants on site while a TV camera crew from Memphis TN capture the action. An informational Kiosk was constructed at the site to educate the public about the values of vegatative buffers in water quality protection.
2007 Range Pond Shoreline Buffer Planting -
Poland Regional High School
Michelle Garcia's Environmental Studies class at The Poland Regional High School wanted to cumulate their studies with an action project. The students elected to work on a vegetative buffer planting at the Flying Lobster Restaurant located on Range Pond. Prior to the planting there was only grass adjacent to a dirt road/parking area. The buffer planting the students completed will slow the flow of stormwater to reduce the amount of pollution coming from the parking area and restaurant grounds.
The Androscoggin Soil and Water Conservation District and the Maine DEP partnered up with 20 high school students to make this project happen. Students worked with the Androscoggin SWCD to map the area and plan out what plants would be appropriate given the site conditions. Native plants were predominately utilized. Not only did students have to consider the site conditions but also the owner's requests about aesthetics. Students completed several point plantings adjacent to the water. They planted over 50 plants ranging from small perennials to larger shrubs and trees. Students met the challenged of creating a planted area with a small path and a nice area for wedding photos or gatherings.
