Earth Day 2007

 

Wetland Restoration

Nishnabotna Educational Research Area

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On April 20th, area high school students were invited to participate in an Earth Day Event put on by the District. The event took place at the Nishnabotna Educational Research Area, an area owned by the District to help educate the public on the functions of wetlands and the ecological importance of them.

Students listened to Derry Wolford, a Bluebirds Across Nebraska member, give a talk on bluebird awareness. He discussed nesting habits and different problems that can effect their nesting and the brooding of their young. Each school got to hang a nesting box at the end of the day.

Activities

David Carter, Soil Conservationist for the Mills County, gave a talk on how man has manipulated the environment. He used the Missouri River as an example and showed aerial photos before and after the channelization of the river.

Luke Forney, Wetlands Specialist for Fremont County, told the history of the area. He explained the area was once a farmstead which was frequently flooded.  Eventually the farmstead was moved to a higher elevation and the land was put into a wetlands program. Luke also led the students out into the wetland and each school got to put up two wood duck boxes.

Kevin Brannen, State Technician and Eric Nelson, Two Rivers Conservationist, showed how to use a self leveling transit to flag out where the high water line will be. After flagging out the area the students planted 168 prairie plugs, of various wetland species, along the waters edge.