Wetlands Walk at Mockingbird

Approved for 1 hour AT

Nature walk led by Jake Calvit.

We are going to be talking about wetlands, wetland delineation, and wetland function. There is a pretty good example of a riparian wetland at Mockingbird park, and I thought it would be a great walk to discuss what exactly wetlands are. Wetlands are the only ecosystem that has a legal definition, and we will discuss why. Also, wetlands perform several beneficial functions for the environment that have had impacts ecologically and economically. We will address these as well. Identifying wetlands involves three criteria: hydric soils, hydric vegetation, and wetland hydrology. So, we will be digging a soil pit, identifying trees/ herbaceous plants, and identifying markers of wetland hydrology. This walk will be contingent with the weather; Mockingbird can get really muddy if it rains. Also, there may be standing water in the wetland, and I don’t want to get my feet wet on a cold February morning. For those who plan on attending, please feel free to email me or call my cell phone: 214-714-0847 jake.calvit@gmail.com