October 10, 2016 – Leading manufacturer of amphibian tunnel
and drift fencing systems, ACO Polymer Products, Inc., recently donated custom
polymer concrete wildlife fencing and a custom fiberglass tortoise burrow to
the Copperwood Schoolyard Habitat for Environmental Education Project.
In 2013, Copperwood PTSA/Peoria Unified School District in
Glendale, Arizona received a $10,000 Heritage Fund grant from Arizona Game and
Fish Department to develop an outdoor environmental education classroom and
desert tortoise habitat at Copperwood Elementary School. This project increases
awareness of the environment, wildlife and promotes outdoor experiences for
students to learn about nature via hands-on exploration. Phase two project development
began in fall 2013 with the assistance of various community partners and
volunteers, and currently is in the final stages of development. Customized
innovative curriculum was developed by Arizona State University professors and
rolled out to the teachers and students during the 2014-2015 school year. A
grand opening for the site will take place in early December 2016. This project
will serve as a model to other schools seeking to integrate outdoor education.
The site includes an existing schoolyard habitat with several
native plants and a small pond. The new adjacent site includes several outdoor
classroom/teaching amenities and a new tortoise habitat. The tortoise habitat
is surrounded by a 20’ x 25’ enclosure/wall and will be visited by hundreds of
students throughout the school year, as well as various community groups.
ACO’s wildlife wall system is perfect for the tortoise
enclosure as it provides a barrier under the ground as well as above. The
sturdy polymer concrete material and rounded top edges of the wall are safe for
students to sit or lean on.
"We truly appreciate ACO for donating the polymer
concrete custom walls for Copperwood Elementary School's tortoise habitat
enclosure, as well as the custom-designed igloo-shaped tortoise burrow for this
important schoolyard habitat for environmental education project,” says Janet
Sharkey, Habitat Committee Chair for Copperwood Elementary School. “ACO's
generous, in-kind donation offers students the opportunity to safely and
closely observe our tortoise when visiting the outdoor classroom and performing
inquiries in the garden with Copperwood teachers."
Goodman’s Landscape & Maintenance also contributed to the project with over $15,000 in services and materials provided for phase one and two of the project.
ACO introduced the concept of modular trench drains to North
America over 30 years ago. Today, ACO in North America is a multi-site
manufacturing and sales operation using a variety of materials for its
extensive range of drainage products for all aspects of building and
construction. ACO utilized its knowledge of surface drainage to develop a
proven amphibian tunnel and drift fencing system. The first tunnel systems were
installed in Europe and North America in 1987. Since this date, numerous sites
have utilized the ACO tunnel and fencing system. Wildlife guidance systems
allow animals to be led safely to their habitats: amphibians, reptiles, and
small mammals can safely cross under roads with a tunnel system and are
prevented from reaching the road surface by surrounding fencing - a measure to
protect both animals and humans.
For more information on
ACO’s wildlife products, please visit www.acowildlife.us.
