Pistol Creek Wetland Center
To Reserve Pistol Creek Wetland Center
Pistol Creek Wetland Center is an educational center is an area that is a display of native birds, plants, and animals. The area has been preserved as a learning center and is designed to be used as a self-guided tour facility. Informational signs along the walkway make this a great outing for indivduals, families, students, and organizations.
Schools are encouraged to visit one class at a time versus an entire grade level to make the experience more worthwhile to students. Because parking is limited schools and groups of 10 or more must reserve the use of the Pistol Creek Wetland Center. There is a parking available for buses. To reserve a date to visit the Center, call 273-3401. (There is no charge to visit).
LOCATION: 1951 Montvale Station Road. Click for Mapquest.
NOTE: This facililty is for educational use only. Not for use for parties, anniversaries, weddings, or meetings.
Pistol Creek Wetland Center is an educational center is an area that is a display of native birds, plants, and animals. The area has been preserved as a learning center and is designed to be used as a self-guided tour facility. Informational signs along the walkway make this a great outing for indivduals, families, students, and organizations.
Schools are encouraged to visit one class at a time versus an entire grade level to make the experience more worthwhile to students. Because parking is limited schools and groups of 10 or more must reserve the use of the Pistol Creek Wetland Center. There is a parking available for buses. To reserve a date to visit the Center, call 273-3401. (There is no charge to visit).
LOCATION: 1951 Montvale Station Road. Click for Mapquest.
NOTE: This facililty is for educational use only. Not for use for parties, anniversaries, weddings, or meetings.
There is educational information all along the walkway.
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Maryville College was very helpful in identifying all the native species that live in the wetlands. Here, one of the College students shows a MIS fifth grade class see one of the species of turtles that makes its home in Pistol Creek.
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History of the Pistol Creek Center
The concept of developing a wetland began in the late 90's. The City acquired the land, previously part of the Delozier farm off of Montvale Station Road in order to preserve it and applied for a grant that would focus on educational usage. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the grant in 2006 that completely funded the project with no matching funds needed from the City.
The next stage was to design the components of the project. A boardwalk, pavilion, and parking area were the major items of the construction phase with an emphasis on "green". The materials that make up the boardwalk, the use of rain barrels around the pavilion, and the pervious pavement in the parking lot all provide visitors with additional educational opportunities as they walk through Pistol Creek Wetland Center.
Maryville College and students played an active role in the project as well. Maryville College has been using the Pistol Creek Wetland site for educational purposes for a several years. Professors take biology students out to the site to collect a variety of insects, watch birds, and find amphibians or reptiles. When the project was announced, the College showed an interest in working with the City of Maryville. Two professors have contributed educational material, time, and advice to the construction of the boardwalk. Two senior students were involved in creating educational materials along the boardwalk and developing materials for the public and the school board to use while at the site. They will continue to be an important part by performing tests, identifying species, and working with our area schools.
The next stage was to design the components of the project. A boardwalk, pavilion, and parking area were the major items of the construction phase with an emphasis on "green". The materials that make up the boardwalk, the use of rain barrels around the pavilion, and the pervious pavement in the parking lot all provide visitors with additional educational opportunities as they walk through Pistol Creek Wetland Center.
Maryville College and students played an active role in the project as well. Maryville College has been using the Pistol Creek Wetland site for educational purposes for a several years. Professors take biology students out to the site to collect a variety of insects, watch birds, and find amphibians or reptiles. When the project was announced, the College showed an interest in working with the City of Maryville. Two professors have contributed educational material, time, and advice to the construction of the boardwalk. Two senior students were involved in creating educational materials along the boardwalk and developing materials for the public and the school board to use while at the site. They will continue to be an important part by performing tests, identifying species, and working with our area schools.
