August 23, 2005 > Open house at Tule Ponds

by Joyce Blueford

Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon will open its trails to the public on August 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help give the community a look at the restoration progress of the area. Highlighted will be our new Tule House, which was built this summer by local experts on primitive ways, Dino Labiste and Susan Witmore. They worked with volunteer high school students and showed them the technique of building a tule house just like the early inhabitants of the area.

Visitors will also see the many structures built as Eagle Scout Projects on the 17-acre facility. You will be able to view a solar fountain in the butterfly meadow constructed by Chris Ru (Troop 124). Herman Wong (Troop 273), Gary Yuen (Troop 273), Greg Barton (Troop 449) and Neal Shah (Troop 176) recently erected benches throughout the facility. For a complete list of Eagle Scout Projects, go to the following link: www.msnucleus.org/watersheds/tule/Eagle.htm.

Activities for young children include art and tule craft projects. Sheri Lubin, staff Wildlife Biologist at the Math Science Nucleus will be giving a tour highlighting the plants and animals of Tule Ponds.

In 1999 Alameda County Flood Control and Conservation District constructed a flood retention wetlands at Tyson Lagoon behind the Fremont BART Station. In 2003 the Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon Wetland Center managed by the Math Science Nucleus, a non-profit organization was opened to educate school children and the public on the need for such wetlands. This area has become a model of "Wetlands in the City," providing habit for urban wildlife.

The center is ideal for young children because the place is a natural haven for them to run through wildflowers and over waterways. They learn first hand why clean water is important for all organisms, large and small. The protected fences and designed pathways allow children on a field trip to roam freely, while adults still look on.

Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon Wetland Center open house
Saturday, August 27
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
1999 Walnut Ave, Fremont
510) 790-6284
www.msnucleus.org/watersheds/tule/tule.html
This is a free event