Carp River
Living Classroom
Introduction
Introduction
Nature EducationNature provides countless opportunities for discovery, creativity, problem-solving, and STEM education. Interacting with natural environments facilitates learning by doing and experimenting with ideas. Students are stimulated to think, question, and make hypotheses — thereby developing inquisitive minds and hopefully a stewarding ethic for nature.
Carp River Living Classroom (CRLC)The CRLC is a school oriented program operated in the Carp River Conservaton Area opened in June, 2018 which begins in the Hazeldean Rd and Richardson Side Rd area where Poole and Feedmill creeks join with a stream flowing from the Glen Cairn community to form the river. The Living Classroom is bounded by the highway 417 to the Richardson Side Road reach of the river which is within 20 km to 40 elementary and high schools, including 9 within walking distance, making it an ideal setting for students to learn how its headwaters were affected by the river restoration project in the second decade of the new millennium.
The restoration was intended to improve and protect water quality and water storage to support property development in the area. Restoring the river's channel and floodplain to more closely resemble its original meandering features prior to being removed to enhance agriculture land use in the early 20th century was the main purpose of the restoration. Unique learning opportunities exist to study the effectiveness of the various strategies used to revitalize the river and floodplain habitat.
The Conservation Area's 4 km paved recreational pathway provides an ideal setting from which to enjoy nature while learning whether the modification of headwater's natural features area in the best interests of this 42 km long river flowing into the Ottawa River near the City's western boundary. The performance of the various modified features such as the meandering river channel with its re-enforced shoreline, the re-engineered parts pf the floodplain, the new wet meadows, a re-designed habitat pond and stormwater management ponds all need to be monitored to acquire some baseline information to assess their performance. Is the restoration working in harmony with nature's ecosystem services to improve the area's biodiversity, water quality and protecting the health of the local community?
The restoration was intended to improve and protect water quality and water storage to support property development in the area. Restoring the river's channel and floodplain to more closely resemble its original meandering features prior to being removed to enhance agriculture land use in the early 20th century was the main purpose of the restoration. Unique learning opportunities exist to study the effectiveness of the various strategies used to revitalize the river and floodplain habitat.
The Conservation Area's 4 km paved recreational pathway provides an ideal setting from which to enjoy nature while learning whether the modification of headwater's natural features area in the best interests of this 42 km long river flowing into the Ottawa River near the City's western boundary. The performance of the various modified features such as the meandering river channel with its re-enforced shoreline, the re-engineered parts pf the floodplain, the new wet meadows, a re-designed habitat pond and stormwater management ponds all need to be monitored to acquire some baseline information to assess their performance. Is the restoration working in harmony with nature's ecosystem services to improve the area's biodiversity, water quality and protecting the health of the local community?
Stewarding Opportunities
Students have an opportunity to develop stewarding interests and skills related to water monitoring. assessing the diversity of various ecosystems,, enhancing nature, experiencing and recording the health benefits of nature.Stewarding Opportunities
Wetland Education
Wetland Education
One of the educational features is the use of a mobile app called EcoTrekr which is aimed at families and children in elementary/middle school.
Developed especially for the Living Classroom, EcoTreker will help visitors understand and engage with what they see as they walk the paved trail. The app features GIS-triggered pop-ups describing site features, an “encyclopedia” of entries on plants, wildlife, geographical features, and historical notes, and interactive quizzes at two challenge levels.
EcoTrekr is free and is available for download from the Google Play and Apple App Stores for use on GIS-enabled tablets and mobile phones.