The BCWF’s Wetlands Education Program headed to the West Kootenays to build a schoolyard wetland at Kinnaird Elementary in Castlegar. With the help of the Grade 7 students, we constructed a liner wetland over two sunny days last week!
There were several steps involved in building a liner wetland:
- Excavate a hole with gradual slopes (approximately 40′ in diameter and 2.5′ deep).
- Rake the hole smooth and remove sharp rocks to prevent puncturing the liner.
- Place a 40′ x 40′ layer of geotextile fabric, followed by the liner, into the hole to form the impermeable base of the wetland.
- Anchor the liner layers using 12″ spikes spaced approximately 18″ apart.
- Rake a foot of soil over the liner (the wetland will be approximately 1.5′ deep).
- Spread oats and straw to prevent erosion.
- Plant a variety of wetland species and water the plants to begin filling the wetland.
The Kinnaird Elementary students and teachers learned about the importance of wetlands throughout this hands-on project. They will continue to play an important stewardship role in their school and community by helping to maintain the wetland’s health and educating others about its benefits.
Click here to see the media coverage from the Castlegar News.
To see all the photos from the wetland construction, click here > Kinnaird Elementary Wetland Build | Flickr
This event would not have been possible without the generous financial support of Columbia Basin Trust, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, Province of British Columbia, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Wildlife Habitat Canada, and Shell Canada.
Special thanks to Lawrence Redfern of the Castlegar and District Wildlife Association, our valued partner on this project.
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