Oct 23: Langara College awarded $20,000 from...

Vancouver, October 23, 2001 - The Environmental Studies program's dream of creating the Langara College Demonstration Wetland became a reality this month thanks to a $20,000 award from the Vancity EnviroFund. Established by Vancity Credit Union in 1990, the fund was conceived as a way to support community initiatives that address specific local environmental concerns in a constructive and creative manner. The project will focus on Walden Pond and the marshy area on the grounds of Langara College.

"We hope to re-establish some of the plant and animal communities that may have existed 100 years ago in this area," said Environmental Studies program co-ordinator Kelly Sveinson. "Our students will gain important skills in ecological restoration and the site will continue to naturalize, providing an ever-evolving 'living laboratory' for future students."

The area was home to trout and salmon in the late 1800s, as part of one of Vancouver's old streams that drained into the Fraser River. It currently has poor water quality, low species diversity, and the local area has no wetland habitat in general. Some of the goals of the project are to increase species diversity, attain greater ecological balance and to improve water quality.

The wetland construction will begin in the spring and will be completed by August 2002. The site is to be an ongoing teaching resource for the Environmental Studies program, and a public education resource for the community. By educating students, children and the community on wetland importance, the project will contribute to global ecological awareness.

For more information about the Environmental Studies program contact Kelly Sveinson at 604-323-5687.