McNear School, Petaluma

Mrs. Sovel's 3rd Grade

Interview with Ambassadors Lilly and Nora

The most important thing we want to say about wetlands is don't set your animals free- like pets- because they damage the environment since they don't belong.

In a watershed the water goes to the wetlands. They are like a sponge and they help clean the water. There are four kinds of habitats and lots of food chains in the wetlands.

Pickleweed is really neat. It is a salty plant that sucks up salt water. The endangered Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse eats it.

Invertebrates are things with no backbones- birds like to eat them.

It's really important not to build on the wetlands. We've already lost 90% of the wetlands and without them we don't have the sponge to stop flooding.

We planted wetland plants in the rain at Sonoma Baylands.

At Schollenberger Park we did bird watching, water testing for temperature and salt, went on a habitat walk, and looked with a microscope at the things living in the mud. The mud looked like clay and you had to look for moving things. We saw shells and crawfish. We were suprised that there was so much living in the mud.

Lia helps display the book.

Lilly tells Sandy Neumann about how wetlands work like a sponge.

The Petaluma Wetlands and Watershed

By the third grade class of McNear School, Petaluma

Judy Sovel, teacher

What is a Watershed? By Yajaira

The important thing about the Petaluma Valley watershed is that when it rains it sheds water down to the lowest point. It’s a water mover, a water giver, and the grassy hills help keep the water clean. But the important thing about our watershed is that it sheds water.

The Watershed is Beautiful By Gloria and Lia

The important thing about our watershed is that it’s beautiful. It has great views, it makes our hills kiwi green, it’s filled with grasshoppers, and it waters the magnificent Oak trees. But the important thing about our watershed is that it its BEAUTIFUL!

From Watershed to Wetlands by Li and Joely

The important thing about our watershed is that is moves our rain water into our wetlands. It moves fast water, sluggish snail water, swerving water, and gentle water. But the most wonderful thing about our watershed is how it moves water to our wetlands.

The Sponge by Nora, Yajaira, Kevin, Antonio

The best thing about our wetlands is that it acts like a sponge. When the rain falls, the wetland sponge slurps up the water thirstily. Shup, chkp, gurgle. On the edge of the land, the sponge waits, sucking up rainwater. But the best thing about our wetlands is that it acts like a sponge.

The Wetlands Clean Our Water by Antonio, Matthew, Kevin

The important thing about the wetlands is that it cleans the water. The wetlands are like a filter, cleaning the dirty water sparkly clean. Cleaner water goes into the Petaluma River, then the bay, then the ocean. Thank you, wetlands. The important thing about our wetlands is that it cleans the water.

The Four Habitats by Joely, Kevin, Lilly, and Vanessa

The important thing to know about our wetlands is that they have four kinds of habitats. The freshwater habitat has cattails and turtles, the saltwater habitat has pickleweed, swans , and snowy egrets, the upland habitat has coyote bush, snakes and lizards, and the riparian habitat has mud swallows and willows. But the important thing to know about our wetlands is that they have four kinds of habitats.

Wonderful Birds by Madison, Joely, and Lia

The most interesting thing about our wetlands is all the different kinds of birds there. The blue heron soars over our heads, the swan nests and turns her eggs, and the mallard splashes its wings in water. They are all amazing sights. The mud swallows nest under the bridge and the tree swallows nest in the man-made bird boxes. Black necked stilts poke in the mud, and snowy egrets try to spot fish in shallow water. So, the most interesting thing about our wetlands is all the different kinds of birds.

Food Chains by Vanessa, Lilly, Simone, Joely

The greatest thing about the wetlands is that they have a huge number of food chains. Producers…consumers…from the bottom to the top. We all depend on producers. Sad to watch, but life is a cycle of sacrifices between life and death. The greatest thing about the wetlands is that they have a huge number of food chains.

Pickleweed by Eddy, Vanessa, and Lia

The greatest thing about the wetlands is that it grows good pickleweed. Its roots suck up the salt so it tastes salty. It’s salty like the ocean. It’s so salty only the salt marsh harvest mouse will it eat. If pickleweed didn’t grow these, the tiny endangered harvest mouse wouldn’t be able to survive. But the greatest thing about the wetlands is that it grows good pickleweed.

Invertebrates by Lilly, Nora, Kevin, Simone, and Lia

The amazing thing about our wetlands is the invertebrates that live there. Black fly larvae, boatmen, crawdads, shrimp, crabs and midge larvae, over 1 BILLION invertebrates per acre! The amazing thing about our wetlands is the invertebrates that live there.

Birds by Nicolas, Simone, Joely, and Madison

The best thing about the wetlands is all the birds. Birds pecking, birds swallowing, birds preying, looking in the shallow water for food. The camouflaged mothers sit on their nests while the males hunt for food. But the very best thing about the wetlands is the amazing birds.

Nutrients by Eli Simone, Kevin, and Nicholas

The important thing about the Petaluma wetlands is that lots of yummy nutrients come up the river with the tide 2 times a day. Algae, diatoms, phytoplankton, and other invertebrates flow with the tide, coming in, then leaving. Wetland creatures help themselves to a free buffet, a picnic with dessert! As you can see, the important thing about the wetlands is the daily meal of nutrients that come on the tide.

A Song About the Wetlands, Antonio, Kevin, Lia, Nicolas, Eddy and Gloria

Wetlands are cool

Because they suck up water like a sponge.

How much water can it hold?

There are great egrets

Flying around looking for food.

That’s why the wetlands are so great!

Blackbird, Blackbird by Vanessa

A Call to Action by Madison, Lia, Gloria, and Nicholas

Plans of Action

We have thought of some ways to improve or save our wetlands.

q If you see trash, pick it up. Do not pollute.

q Do not build on the wetlands

q If you see someone harming the wetlands, remind them that the wetlands are important to the food chain.

q Make people aware by sharing our knowledge with others. Spread the word!

q Don’t take unwanted animals to the wetlands because that is not their home. Non-native animals will ruin the native population, causing less diversity.

Return to the STRAW Summit 2007