In collaboration with the Maryland Department of the Environment
(MDE) and Winchester Homes, Inc., ESA designed approximately one
acre of emergent and scrub/shrub wetlands, an interpretive trail
with boardwalk, and an educational program for the students and
faculty of Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School. The project began
as a mitigation project to compensate for wetland impacts
associated with Winchester Homes development of the adjacent
residential community. Foreseeing an excellent opportunity for
environmental education, ESA recommended the incorporation of an
interpretive trail and educational curriculum into the wetland
project. All parties embraced and supported the concept.
To ensure the success and effectiveness of the project, ESA
organized a task force consisting of school faculty,
representatives of Winchester Homes, and state and local
government personnel to develop design guidelines for the trail
alignment, construction materials, interpretive signs and
educational materials. ESA then researched and designed the
wetlands, the interpretive educational trail and boardwalk (ADA
compliant), the interpretive signs, and the wetland educational
curriculum to be taught at Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School.
The curriculum text, prepared by ESA, included basic background
information for the study of wetlands, a detailed discussion of
the ecological communities surrounding the interpretive trail, an
introduction to wetland monitoring (hydrology, vegetation and
soils), and educational activities and experiments to engage
faculty as well as students. ESA also prepared an interpretive
trail guide with educational and experiential learning ideas for
use in an outdoor classroom setting. The designs and curriculum
were then presented to the task force by ESA and minor
modifications were made to address individual concerns.
Following approval, ESA prepared all of the construction documents
including grading plans, planting plans, construction details,
specifications, and construction sequencing. ESA then supervised
the construction of the wetlands and the interpretive trail to
ensure quality control. The completed wetland ecosystem and
interpretive trail has provided students and faculty of the Dr.
Sally K. Ride Elementary School with a unique opportunity to
participate in a cooperative educational effort to inform students
about the importance and development of wetland and riparian
ecosystems.
