World’s First Floating Wetland Classroom launches in Hampton Roads

The ‘Learning Barge’ is christened and ready to teach about wetlands on the Elizabeth River

Excerpts by Scott Harper, The Virginian-Pilot
Photo:  Elizabeth River Project and the University of Virginia at the High Street ferry landing in downtown Portsmouth. (L. Todd Spencer | The Virginian-Pilot)

It looks like a giant floating garden – big, wide and gray – with marsh plants growing on its deck amid walkways and oyster shells. Among its features: solar panels, compost toilets, sun-powered lights shaped like little fish, recycled water spouts, and two wind turbines whirling on top.

This quirky behemoth is called the Learning Barge, a $1.2 million vessel dedicated to environmental education and designed for a zero ecological footprint.

The official launch on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009 marked the end of more than three years of work and construction, much of it donated, led by the University of Virginia School of Architecture and the Elizabeth River Project, a local environmental group whose goal is to attain a “swimmable and fishable” river by 2020.

Proclaiming the barge “the world’s first floating wetland classroom,” officials allowed visitors aboard for the first time and said its educational voyages on the Elizabeth River will begin Oct. 1.

The project already has won several national awards, including a creative design competition by the Environmental Protection Agency, and the top educational honor last year from the American Institute of Architects.

The barge includes six stations and labs where visitors and students can sample water quality and pollution, watch how wetlands and oyster reefs filter contaminants, grow their own river algae from fertilizers, learn about restoration efforts and sustainable energy, and craft their own art project.

The barge will be anchored along the Portsmouth waterfront for now but will be shifted around to different sites on the river throughout the year.

The Elizabeth River Project is managing the booking for school groups and civic groups. For more information, click on www.ElizabethRiver.org or call 757/399-RIVR (7487). Educational presentations are approx 2.5 hours long and suitable for groups of 20 – 60 persons.