Washington State Conservation Commission

Stevens County Conservation District (SCCD) spearheaded an exciting community partnership that has resulted in an expanded habitat for wetland species and increased hands-on learning for middle school students. SCCD, in partnership with Washington State Dept. of Ecology, the Chewelah School District, science and horticulture teachers, and the football booster club, expanded and enhanced a wetland that acts as a buffer between the new athletic field and Paye Creek. Students participated in every step of the process and are now the caretakers of their new Outdoor Science Classroom.

A project to upgrade the football field and track meant more runoff to adjacent Paye Creek, so SCCD, using funding from Ecology’s 319 Clean Water Grant, worked with the school district to design a storm-water treatment pond. The project called for expansion of an existing wetland as well as amenities for wetland studies, including a unique rocked area for amphibian and reptile habitat. Students assisted by taking cuttings from the wetland and potting them in the high school greenhouse for future replanting. When excavating was completed, students and parents helped plant the new habitat and built a boardwalk to provide wildlife viewing opportunities. Today science classes use the new outdoor lab to study ecosystems and practice science process skills.

Chewelah School District students planting native trees and shrubs

 WSCC enjoys a project tour on the new boardwalk

Wetland plants one year later