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EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Wetland Education Center

The first stage of the Wetland Education Center (WEC) will create a 2.5 acre salt marsh on-site at UTMSI. Material excavated from the site will be used to create 1.5 acres of sheltering dunes around the site. Creating the WEC is a joint project between the USACE and The University of Texas under Section 206 of the Waterways Restoration Act. The Marsh will have two separate tidal access points and be planted with high & low salt marsh plants: smooth cordgrass (Spartina alternaflora) and black mangrove (Avicennia germinans); submerged seagrasses.

The second stage will include the construction of public boardwalks, an amphitheater, educational signage and floating educational program platforms. A K-12 curriculum has been developed for the WEC.

In progress photos

WEC Timeline

  • Construction of the wetland was completed on May 4, 2007.

  • The shoreline must stabilize for 60 days prior to plantings.

  • Marsh planting will begin in early to mid-summer.

  • Boardwalk construction will begin in late summer.

Topographic Habitat Creation Map

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Updated: 27 Mar 07
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