Wetlands and streams are valuable teaching tools for teachers in elementary, middle and high schools. The concept of "wetlands as classrooms" has broadened to include student-led wetland restoration projects, which have received some press coverage over the past few years. In this section, there are links to articles about wetlands as classrooms run at the federal, national, state and regional levels.

Lessons in the Wetlands: Hillsboro Preserve & Nature Center, Jackson Bottoms Wetland Preserve

November 26, 2011 A school bus pulled up to the Wetlands Education Center, and the excited yet studious young members of the Junior Naturalist Club tumbled out. They laminated their nametags, readied their notebooks and hit the trail to document the diverse ecosystem of Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro. "Our educational programs are a great local resource," said wetlands education specialist Sarah Pinnock. "We work with students from all over the area, but these kids are from nearby. I've known some of the students since they were in kindergarten. But the building and the land are open to everyone." For story, click here. 

Seventh Grade Class in Illinois Wins Disney's Planet Challenge Middle School Environmental Competition

Burbank, Calif. and Creal Springs, Illinois —April 19, 2011
Disney today announced Mrs. Fran Wachter's seventh grade class at Creal Springs School in Creal Springs, Illinois as the national middle school grand prize winner in Disney's Planet Challenge, an environmental and science competition for 3rd-8th grade classrooms. The competition expanded this year to include middle school grades 6-8.  To read full article, click here. To view winning video, Wetland Warriors: Restoring Health to Our Wetlands, click here.

Pitching in: Students part of wetlands restoration project

To read full article, click here.

Mid-Atlantic Environmental Education - Schools in the News

Need ideas for an environmental project to get students interested in ecology, energy conservation and saving the Earth? The EPA Region 3 Environmental Education Program's 'Schools in the News' website offers press articles of successful environmental projects undertaken by students in mid-Atlantic region schools that are making news, such as:

To view the full current list of articles, click here.

Center for Wetlands and Stream Restoration

"School Wetlands" Web Album

Prepared by Tom Biebighauser, U.S. Forest Service (2011)

Ducks Unlimited Initiates Project Webfoot Education Program To 50 Local Schools

By Jason Baine – Cambridge Now! – March 2011

A donation from S. C. Johnson and Son Inc. of Brantford is allowing Ducks Unlimited Canada to provide 50 schools in Brantford/Brant and Waterloo Region with hands-on wetland educational programs this school year. Students come to a GRCA nature centre for a half-day program. The bussing cost is covered through the donation. “This is the second year running these programs, which have been a huge hit with kids and teachers alike,” said Ralph Beaumont, manager of environmental education and marketing with the GRCA. Project Webfoot is DUC’s international education program that introduces Grade 4 and 5 students to wetlands, teaches them about the impact wetlands have on their daily lives and the necessity of conservation initiatives. Over the last few years, this program has grown by 30 per cent, currently reaching more than 350 classes every year.

To read full article, click here.

Lexington pupils' classroom is a creek

By Andy Mead – Herald-Leader –September 18, 2009

These are wonderful days at Lexington's Millcreek Elementary School, as groups of students are led out of their brick-and-mortar classrooms and encouraged to get their feet wet in an outdoor classroom called Mill Creek.

For full story, click here.

IN: New Geology Course Takes Learning to Next Level with Wetlands Research

By Bailee Souder – Indiana State University – September 18, 2009

Two charter buses filled with Indiana State University students headed into West Terre Haute Saturday (Sept. 12) to get down and dirty with wetlands research. Upon arrival, the students of the newly added geology course, Introduction to Environmental Science, headed out into the woods to take on a day of hands-on learning and a few mosquito bites. Walking down small, underdeveloped trails and stomping through mud in Vigo County's wetlands to collect water and soil samples was part of the day-long learning experience for the students. Jim Speer and Jennifer Latimer, assistant professors in the department of geography, geology and anthropology, received funding for the trip from the Center for Public Service and Community Engagement.

For full story, click here.

Wetlands Classroom Ready to Enlighten

By Tom Palmer – The Ledger – September 6, 2009

When you walk into this classroom, there's no doubt about its purpose. An aquarium holds a crayfish, freshwater mussels and some mosquito fish. Microscopes and other laboratory equipment are ready for use, and all kinds of wildlife artifacts are displayed along the walls. To read full article, click here.

'Marsh Madness' protects wetlands

By Sean Doerre  - Lariat Online – February 3, 2009

The Baylor University Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems and the City of Waco partnered Monday at the Baylor Sciences Building to hold an informative event on Waco's Wetlands. The event was held in correlation with World Wetlands Day ceremonies held around the world. "We wanted to make people aware that we have a local wetlands," said Nora Schell, Lake Waco wetlands coordinator. "We wanted to celebrate World Wetlands Day and let students know a wetlands exists so close to campus."

For full story, click here.