Tulula - Environmental Education

Environmental Education

Freshwater wetlands in the eastern United States provide critical habitats for a variety of rare or uncommon plants and animals. Although these habitats are biologically rich and harbour many unique life-forms, they have been destroyed at an alarming rate during the last century. In Illinois, for example, scientists estimate that 90-95% of freshwater wetlands have been lost. In the southeastern US, losses in the order of 50% or more are typical for many states.

Freshwater wetlands in the southern Appalachians are concentrated in floodplains or other low-lying areas. These relatively flat areas were the first sites cleared by European colonists for farming and urban areas. Although precise information on the percent of wetlands that have been lost in western North Carolina are not available, estimates based on the amount of floodplain habitats that have been converted into agricultural lands or urban areas suggest that >95% of the original wetlands are now gone.

We are using the Tulula Wetlands for a variety of educational purposes related to wetlands restoration and wildlife conservation. Examples include university class trips to study hydrology and soils, birding trips by local ornithology groups, and Upward Bound classes to learn basic principles of ecology and conservation biology.

UNC Asheville Soil Class

Rob Moody (UNCA Alumni) and Upward Bound Class


	Environmental Education
	Freshwater wetlands in the eastern United States provide critical habitats for a variety of rare or uncommon plants and animals. Although these habitats are biologically rich and harbour many unique life-forms, they have been destroyed at an alarming rate during the last century. In Illinois, for example, scientists estimate that 90-95% of freshwater wetlands have been lost. In the southeastern US, losses in the order of 50% or more are typical for many states. Freshwater wetlands in the southern Appalachians are concentrated in floodplains or other low-lying areas. These relatively flat areas were the first sites cleared by European colonists for farming and urban areas. Although precise information on the percent of wetlands that have been lost in western North Carolina are not available, estimates based on the amount of floodplain habitats that have been converted into agricultural lands or urban areas suggest that >95% of the original wetlands are now gone.
	We are using the Tulula Wetlands for a variety of educational purposes related to wetlands restoration and wildlife conservation. Examples include university class trips to study hydrology and soils, birding trips by local ornithology groups, and Upward Bound classes to learn basic principles of ecology and conservation biology.	UNC Asheville Soil Class
	Rob Moody (UNCA Alumni) and Upward Bound Class