Wetlands help reduce flooding and erosion, hold sediment and pollutants, and provide habitat for a wide range of birds and animals. Nearly half of the world's endangered species live in wetlands or depend on them for survival. Through natural filtration systems, our wetlands also work hard to improve the quality of our water.

The Enviroscape^® Wetlands Model demonstrates the basic functions of inland and coastal wetland areas, and shows their value to our environment, as well as illustrating how human factors and development affect them. The model helps teach about the different types of wetlands and helps people develop an understanding of what activities damage these fragile ecosystems as well as how we can help conserve and renew wetland areas. Through the demonstration of best management practices, you can also show how constructed wetlands can help us better manage what we do with our lands.

This unit can also be used to demonstrate both point and nonpoint source pollution, helping people understand the differences between them, and how each of us contributes to the environmental stress our wetlands are under.

The Enviroscape^® Wetlands Model shows:

• Construction area
• Residental area with shopping center
• Industrial area
• Forestry area
• Agricultural area with livestock
• Marina area
• Different types of natural wetland areas
• Constructed wetlands

Root take-up as seen from side of Wetlands model

What our users are saying:

"We go out in pairs with the Enviroscape^® Wetlands model to inner-city after school programs and Native American resource centers. Many people are unaware of the importance of wetlands. With Enviroscape^® we can dramatically show the points we are trying to make and the kids love it. Everybody gets a chance to interact and they get excited about learning something new."

Jane Schmitt, League of Women Voters, Henrietta, NY

"Enviroscape^® has proven to be a useful tool to help educate the public about watershed management. Over 70 Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Ohio have and use the models in a variety of ways for community education. In addition to classroom presentations, schools are encouraged to borrow the models after participating in short training programs. The public benefits through its demonstration at mall shows, field days, real estate seminars, planning agency and engineering meetings, and other civic events."

Jeanne Russell, Nonpoint Source Education Coordinator
Ohio Department of Natural Resources

The Enviroscape^® Wetlands Unit contains everything you need, except the water:

• Wetlands landscape top
• Clear base
• Shopping center
• Parking lot
• Marina and boat slips
• Houses and other buildings
• Bridges
• Trees
• Golf flags
• Cows
• Vehicles
• Watercatcher
• Cocoa
• Oil
• Drink mixes
• Rainmaker (spray bottle)
• Assorted wetlands materials (sponges and felt strips)
• Plant roots (cotton swabs)
• Measuring cup
• Data sheet
• Supplementary user's guide
• A heavy duty carrying case with wheels is available for maximum protection and mobility.