Built by students enrolled in shop classes in the Ottawa Carleton Catholic School System, the Macoun Marsh Outdoor Classroom officially opened on May 26, 2007 during the celebration of International Biodiversity Day and a two day “Bio Blitz” to document the many species of wildlife in the Marsh. At last count over 1,200 species of wildlife have been recorded at Macoun Marsh.
From Humble Beginnings
The magnetic attraction of the Marsh started in earnest in 2004. Led by science teacher Michael Léveillé, students attending the St. Laurent Academy and Jean Vanier Catholic School began to visit, photograph and document the many natural wonders of the Marsh. In so doing they not only captured local attention, but the notice of the international community. Pinegrove Productions created an educational film about the Marsh, and the Marsh spawned a number of biodiversity-related high profile projects and events. In addition, the students’ diaries and photographs were featured at the Eastern Ontario Biodiversity Museum in Kemptville, and the students were also awarded the National Capital Regional Wildlife Festival Youth Award in Environmental Excellence. Said Mr. Léveillé: “I want to empower my students with a sense of responsibility. Young people should know that the environmental condition of our planet is not hopeless – we can identify and record (document) one little habitat at a time!”
Worldwide Acclaim
There was the Volvo Adventure International Competition held in Sweden in May 2006 in which Macoun Marsh student team members (short-listed from 300 projects spanning 43 countries) placed second for their Biodiversity project to study and preserve the wetlands of Macoun Marsh, winning $6,000 US. To their credit, the students donated their lucrative prize towards the building of the Macoun Marsh Outdoor Classroom. This was followed by the Ontario Heritage Awards, the Second International Youth Symposium for Biodiversity, and the Norway based Tunza International Youths’ Conference, just to name a few.
A Natural Wonderland
The Macoun Marsh Committee raised over $51,000 to build the Macoun Marsh Outdoor Classroom. Constructed of western red cedar, the Macoun Marsh Outdoor Classroom features book platforms, seating, observation lookout and bird feeders that attract the many species of native birds that make their home in the Marsh. Beechwood has also adorned the landscape of the Marsh with beautiful species of trees and wildflowers. Some of the trees introduced to the Marsh are red maple, tamarak, willow, and red osier dogwood. Mr. Léveillé and his students have also been closely monitoring the endangered native butternut tree, and plan to introduce blue and yellow flag irises in the spring.
For all who wish to visit the Marsh there is ample natural stone seating and seasonal educational signs throughout the area that adds to the experience of the many wondrous features of this magnificent natural habitat.
Thanks to the efforts of the Macoun Marsh Committee and the support of The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation, today the Marsh is a protected area and continues to give school children and the public the opportunity to appreciate and learn about the environment. The Foundation, with the help of committee representatives, continues to focus its efforts on preserving and enhancing the area around the Marsh for educational purposes.
Macoun Marsh Committee Members:
- Michael Léveillé; Teacher, St. Laurent Academy
- Ann Coffey; The Canadian Biodiversity Institute
- Heather Hamilton; The Eastern Ontario Biodiversity Museum
- Cynthia Iberg; The Canadian Museum of Nature
- Clint Monahan; Teacher, Jean Vanier Catholic School
- Mark Sunderland; The Biomed Group and neighbour