Volunteers spend Earth Day restoring wetlands
Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/39917/
Community volunteers celebrated Earth Day by restoring one of the only "mounded wetlands" in Arkansas on Saturday. "Today we’re prepping the soil for the World Peace Garden and the children’s Butterfly Garden," said event coordinator Jennifer Creel of Audubon Arkansas. "We’ll also be removing the invasive honey suckle and restoring native species of plants."
The purchase of the 2.5-acre World Peace Wetland Prairie, located on South Duncan Street, was announced by the Town Branch Neighborhood Association on Earth Day last year. "This space used to have two houses on the front," Creel said. "Then a developer, James Mathias, purchased it and was going to build 48 apartment units. But he was patient enough to allow us to acquire the funds to buy the land."
Creel said the money used to buy the property was raised by the city, along with other local organizations. "The city put in $50,000," she said. "The rest of the money was raised by the community, Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association, Town Branch Neighborhood Association, Tyson Foods and Audubon Arkansas, and totaled $124,000."
The funds will be used to restore the land to its original state and to serve as an outdoor classroom to teach residents about the ecosystems in the region. "The wetlands have hydric soil, which acts as a sponge," Creel said. "It filters the rain water to stop pollution and prevent flooding. This is also one of the only mounded wetlands in Arkansas, so it’s imperative to save such a rare ecosystem."
According to Creel, the naming of the World Peace Garden fulfilled the wishes of the OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology as a condition of their donation of 20 percent of the money to purchase the property. "I was a volunteer for the Native Conservatory for many years," said community volunteer Margot Lavoi. "I think groups like this are doing a good job at balancing the economic growth and saving the significant and beautiful green space so this city doesn’t become one big strip mall. I’m just paying my dues."
The project is divided into two phases.
Phase one includes the eastern high ground totaling nearly a half acre. A selection of trees, shrubbery and flowering plants in that area will be made with the theme of a peace garden where rock walls will provide casual seating for contemplation of nature and a butterfly garden.
Phase two of the project will involve gradual restoration of native species, primarily on the 2 acres prairie wetland to the west and northwest of the entryway at 1121 S. Duncan Ave. A narrow path will meander through the wetland portion to provide access for bird-watching and wildflower study.
The overall goal of the project is to restore vegetation that contributes to the enhancement and protection of the land as a feeding and nesting habitat for diverse species of birds and other wildlife while conserving its water-absorbing soil to prevent downstream flooding of homes in the watershed of the Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River. "This project will be continual until the wetland is restored," Creel said.
The World Peace Wetland Prairie entrance is at 1121 S. Duncan Ave. The main body of the wetland prairie lies between 11 th and 12 th streets, about 200 feet west of South Duncan.