Interview with Thomas Biebighauser, December 22, 2006

Interview Summary

Biebighauser discusses his work with Wetland restoration, how he grew to love wetlands, and the work he currently does working for the US Forest Service in Daniel Boone National Forest. He describes the work that PRIDE has done throughout the region and in Daniel Boone National Forest more specifically in regard to restoring wetlands and cleaning up illegal dump sites. He discusses the values that PRIDE has and what he thinks of the organization.
Biebighauser discusses the different kinds of wetlands and which are able to be used for environmental education by building outdoor classrooms on school grounds. He discusses several school projects of which he has been a part, as well as the variety of different circumstances through which they arose. He describes the challenges of placing wetlands on school grounds and the values toward environmental education that outdoor classrooms add. Biebighauser also discusses his recent book on wetland draining in Kentucky and their restoration. He details stories of farmers in Kentucky and New York state who have drained wetlands and the methods they used to do so. He discusses the popularization of clay drain-tiles in the US by John Johnston, and he describes the evolution of clay drain-tiles since their creation. Biebighauser takes Johnson out into wetlands in Daniel Boone National Forest and discusses the flora and fauna therein. He catches a variety of insects and describes their purposes in the environment. He also discusses the nesting patterns of many waterfowl and bats in the area. Throughout this time, he discusses the value of wetlands and their impact on the surrounding environment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and restoring wetlands along the way.

Interview Keyword

Wetlands Wetland restoration Ephemeral wetlands Rain gardens Mosquitoes Education Environmental education Building wetlands Restoring wetlands Outdoor classrooms Grants Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE) Wildlife Vegetation Waterfowl Minnesota United States Forest Service Daniel Boone National Forest Drain-tiles Clay drain-tiles Drain tiles

Interview LC Subject

Daniel Boone National Forest (Ky.) Environmental education. Environmentalism. United States. Forest Service Wetland restoration. Wetlands. Drain-tiles.

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.