'Salt Marsh Soldiers' clean up, study and promote wetlands It's a project for biology students at the Glynn County Grade 8.5 Center
By TERESA STEPZINSKI | The Times-Union
January 22, 2007
BRUNSWICK - The Salt Marsh Soldiers gathered around as Vicki Klahn
recently scratched their plan of attack
in the gravel at their feet.
Their mission, Klahn explained, was straightforward.
"We're going to adopt this section of wetlands," said
Klahn, who pointed to the nearby bank along the East Brunswick River and Academy Creek that was strewn with trash and debris, ranging
from empty beer bottles and greasy burger wrappers to water-logged timbers from an old dock.
"Remember, if you see anything broken, don't touch it ... If
you see an animal, just stop and watch it. Don't go near it,"
Klahn said to the "soldiers" - her biology students at the
Glynn County School System's Grade 8.5 Center.
The students, who have named themselves Salt Marsh Soldiers, have
adopted that section of wetland as part of a research project that emphasizes hands-on learning and public service.
 Klahn, a teacher for six years, developed the project, which has three main components.
First, the students are adopting a section of wetland to clean up
and monitor for environmental quality. They will collect water samples that will be analyzed to determine the biological and chemical content.
Second, they are creating two mosaic murals depicting plants and
animals in the salt-marsh ecosystem. Wood salvaged from the marsh is being crafted by the students into a frame for the murals that will be entered in an
upcoming statewide youth environmental competition. In addition, they
will create a
three-dimensional artwork using glass bottles collected at the site
that can't be recycled.
Third, the students each will select a marsh animal or plant to
research. That research requires the students to write a comprehensive paper and prepare
a presentation using computers or some other form of technology.
"I'm doing spartina grass because everything runs on grass
in the marsh," said Anqunette Williams, who also plans to research
the periwinkle, a snail common to the salt marsh.
Students have also launched a paper recycling program at the school,
Klahn said.
Community impact
The project's impact will extend beyond the classroom, Mayor Bryan
Thompson said.
"These students are setting a really great example for everyone," Thompson
said. "They are doing hands-on environmental biology, and by
cleaning up the area they are doing a great service."
The area has evolved into an illegal dumping ground for trash and
garbage. Flotsam, such as wooded planks from docks shattered by storms,
litter the marsh.
However, it's also a popular fishing and crabbing site for Brunswick
residents.
"What the students are doing there to make it better, is deeply
appreciated. ... There is nothing too small that can be done, even
if it's just picking up one piece of litter," Thompson said.
The students have gained insight into wetlands ecology from experts
such as Altamaha Riverkeeper James Holland and Paul Medders, marine
education and public outreach coordinator for the Georgia Department
of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division.
"The water quality issue is huge. ... It's definitely going
to help improve the water
quality by keeping trash and debris out of the river," he said. "Building
better water
quality makes for better oyster beds and better habitat for fish and wildlife
species."
Medders described the project as a potential catalyst.
"It's the concept of a tipping point. If they clean it up and
care for it, then someone
else will appreciate it and be inspired to care for it too," he
said.
Marsh murals
 Students used toothbrushes and scrubby pads Thursday to carefully
clean and smooth
the edges of the pottery plants and animals they created for a relief
murals depicting salt-marsh ecosystem.
Jasmine Roberts painstakingly brushed smooth the edges of a loggerhead
sea turtle that she crafted.
Jasmine selected the endangered sea animal as her research project
because "I wanted to know more about it."
The opportunity to explore what interests them, Jasmine and other
students said, is one of the best aspects of the class.
"I really like that we get to pick out our own organism and
learn all about it. Going out into the wetlands is really interesting,
too, because
we can see all of the different animals and plants," she said.
The youngsters worked with Chris Daughtry, an independent environmentalist,
to cut and fit the planks that were peppered with sea-worm holes.
The students' enthusiasm, Medders said, is key to the future of
the ecosystem.
"You don't know who among those kids will be inspired to become
the next Riverkeeper," he said.
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