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World Peace Wetland Prairie  The
World Peace Wetland Prairie, located in Fayetteville, Arkansas,
is a 2.5-acre wetland prairie, a small remnant of what historically
existed on the Ozark Plateau. Northwest Arkansas is nestled
in an “ecotone,” or ecosystem transition zone,
between the Southern Great Plains to the west and the Eastern
Deciduous Forest to the east.
Very few of these natural wetland prairies
exist today. They are disappearing to make room for urban
areas, made up of impervious surfaces and their associated
increase in stormwater runoff. Wetlands counterbalance the
negative effects of runoff by retaining and slowly releasing
stormwater, while absorbing and filtering the pollution contained
within the runoff. Natural areas such as this one recharge
groundwater resources and provide habitat for wildlife.
The World Peace Wetland Prairie was made
possible through donations provided by the City of Fayetteville;
Audubon Arkansas; the OMNI Center for Peace, Justice, and
Ecology; Tyson Foods; the Town Branch Neighborhood Association;
and the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association. The property
was donated to the City of Fayetteville on Earth Day 2005,
and became part of the City’s Parks Department.
The City gave joint restoration responsibility
of this property to Audubon Arkansas and the Town Branch Neighborhood
Association. Audubon Arkansas recently received a Five
Star Resoration Grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
to carry out the restoration plan for the World Peace Wetland
Prairie.
Project goals include:
- Removal of invasive plant species
- Establishment of native wetland and prairie plants
- Community & student involvement throughout the restoration
process
The eastern, upland ½ acre of the
World Peace Wetland Prairie will be home to a children’s
butterfly garden and a memorial tree allee planted with trees
that represent peace in cultures around the world. The western
two acres will contain native wetland and prairie plants,
educational kiosks, and boardwalks. This area will be free
and open to the public and will serve as an outdoor living
classroom to those curious about a historical ecosystem of
our area: the wetland prairie.
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