OakCreek Xeriscape Application - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Program Description: Applied learning centers and classrooms where students utilize their skills in practical application are effective and efficient models. Our program has a community, curricular, and staff development component~ Last year the staff and parents determined that an environmental center would provide the resource for teaching practical math and science concepts. The Oak Creek Environmental Center proposes that the school grounds be landscaped in a way that will demonstrate the ecology of our environment. The, intent is to make an interdisciplinary program that will correlate the curriculum with the real world. The center will be used as a real presentation to supplement ,the classroom'instruction. Materials and training from Biological Science Curriculum Studies, Science for Alliance, Project Wild, and Project Learning Tree, will be utilized in the development of a K-5 curriculum. The center will include wildlife/natural habitat.' Plants and water sources have been planned to encourage the wildlife from nearby Quail ,Lake and Broadmoor Lake. A picnic'area provides a space for statistical documentation of academic lessons as well as various community uses. A weather station and sundial are included in the overall scheme. An amphitheater, with floor grids for math and science activities, can also be utilized by individual classrooms or grade level activities. The landscape of the enviror.mental center will have three different areas. They are an indigenous area"a transition area, and a water intense area. The indigenous area will demonstrate the various life zones that are found in the area. This area will be in view of the passing community. The path which winds through the center will allow the public to browse and read about the various zones and plants. The 'transition area is a more conventional type of landscape. It will display plants that are not necessarily 'native but have adapted to the area. A water intense area'will utilize run-off to demonstrate the possibilities of water harvest. The plants will be chosen to Provide the maximum ,wildlife use, both as habitat and food source. A section of this area will also have water available for the wildlife. These areas have been chosen according to the contour of the land and availability of water. Xeriscope: The environmental center has considered the slope, exposure and soil in all areas of our plan. Turf areas have been reduced and separated from other areas. Plants with like needs have b~en grouped together. Organic mulch such as wood chips and bark will be used to minimize evaporation. ,The mulch will also provide low maintenance for the area. Reduced weed growth and slow erosion are both due to mulching properly.