Landscape Architect Articles

LASN Stewardship November 200711-29-07 | News

Landscape Architect Leads Troop

By Craig R. Wyant, RLA/SWS

Under the guidance of Craig Wyant, RLA/SWS, a group of scouts planted approximately 300 native wetland shrubs within the floodplain of Sugar Creek in North Carolina. The planting consisted of a brief training program on how the holes must be dug, plants removed from their containers and then how to properly install the plant for optimal survival.

Recently, a group of 30 Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and adult leaders from Troop 504 and Pack 504 of Harrison United Methodist Church in Pineville, N.C. planted approximately 300 native wetland shrubs within the floodplain of Sugar Creek. The scouts were guided by Craig R. Wyant, RLA/SWS a registered landscape architect in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. He is also vice president of natural resources for Carolina Wetland Services, Inc. (CWS).

CWS is a natural resource consulting firm based in Charlotte, N.C., which provides environmental services throughout the Southeastern U.S. The scouts who ranged in age from fifth grade to teenagers, used the plants to restore part of the natural buffer in the floodplain. In addition to providing a habitat for wildlife, the shrubs help control sedimentation and pollution of Sugar Creek and the Catawba River.

The idea for the planting originated when Wyant was approached by another landscape architect, Daniel H. Fisher, RLA, who was interested in a project that could be conducted by local scouts.

The planting process began by moving all 300 plants by hand down a steep 30-foot embankment into the floodplain wetland. The adults assisted Wyant and the Scouts in distributing and arranging all of the plants where they were to be planted. The Scouts were timid at first, but quickly muddied up their white sneakers and began to dig in!

Fisher is actively involved with Scouting and sought an activity that would offer educational benefits while having an impact on both the environment and the community. Wyant knew of a privately owned property nearby that had a large stream, floodplain and wetlands. The property was in need of restorative plantings to provide habitat for wildlife, filter pollutants and sediments and restore the native sub-canopy of the floodplain forest. This property had also been indicated as a potential greenway location on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Greenway Master Plan.

Wyant contacted the property owner, Vulcan Materials Company (VMC), who is also a client of CWS, to request permission to allow the Scouts to access the area and conduct the planting.

Arrangements were made, a date was set and a legal indemnification agreement was signed between the scouts and VMC. The nation?EUR??,,????'???s largest producer of construction aggregates VMC is also a leader in the production of many other construction materials. Thomas Carroll, Tim Knopf and Craig Brinkley from VMC assisted with the effort.

Species of plants that were selected included American Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana), Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum), Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis), Black Willow (Salix nigra), Tag Alder (Alnus serrulata), and Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). The plants were selected to provide a biodiversity of species within the planted buffer and to accommodate a range of hydrologic conditions and soil types. Each species provided some element of habitat such as food, cover or nest sites for local wildlife. When planted as a buffer along the edge of the floodplain near uplands, the density of plantings was ment to slow velocity of stormwater runoff, trap sediments and filter pollutants before the flow reached the stream. All of the plantings were donated by Carolina Wetland Services and were grown locally in their Native Plant Nursery.

Following the planting, the scouts participated in an educational tour of the floodplain and wetland led by Wyant. During the tour, the scouts were introduced to local native floodplain species of plants and animals, shown the changes in soil profile colors and textures through the use of a Dutch auger, and were taught the basics of floodplain hydrogeomorphology. On the return trip to the vehicles, scouts were encouraged to pick up trash to leave the area in better condition than it was found.