Musical Melody Marsh Opens At Kansas Wetlands Education Center

A new musical pollinator garden, named Melody Marsh, has opened at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. This garden features various outdoor musical instruments from Percussion Play and is inspired by the surrounding wetlands. It officially opened its doors to guests in September.

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center is dedicated to educating the public about wetland communities, their importance, and the need for conservation and restoration, with emphasis on Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

Curtis Wolf, the Director of the Kansas Wetlands Center, led the project and effectively utilized Composer AR, an app developed by Percussion Play. This augmented reality app allows users to visualize and interact with Percussion Play instruments in real-world settings in real time. By using Composer AR, Curtis was able to see, play, and hear the sounds of each instrument before making his final decision.

The outdoor musical instruments installed in the Melody Marsh include the , Sunflower Petal Drum, Cattail Chimes, Cyclone, and Harmony Flowers. Their purchase was made possible by the generous donation of the Dorothy M. Morrison Foundation.

Curtis commented on adding the music garden: "We had a pollinator garden at the entrance to our center, and we were looking for ways to rejuvenate it because maintaining it was quite a challenge. We wanted to enhance what we already had. A nearby science center featured a variety of Percussion Play instruments that inspired us, as we were very impressed by them. This led us to create a musical garden incorporating these instruments."

Curtis explains, "We selected the instruments based on our local wetlands. The Cattail Chimes are the centerpiece of our choice, which is fitting since we have Cattails in the area. From there, we continued with the pollinator theme, drawing inspiration from our garden and wetlands. The instruments align well with the center's mission and needs."

Curtis shared that guests are impressed by the new addition to the garden, especially children who enjoy playing there. During a recent butterfly festival hosted by the Wetlands Center, the new musical garden was a popular attraction, with attendees making good use of it throughout the event.

Adding outdoor musical instruments, especially those 'Inspired by Nature,' can offer numerous benefits for education centers looking to enhance their educational programs and visitor experience. Such instruments create an engaging, interactive environment that invites guests, particularly children, to explore and connect with the natural world through sound and play. By incorporating music that reflects local ecosystems, centers can foster a deeper appreciation for wildlife and wetlands while promoting creativity and collaboration among visitors.

Moreover, these installations can complement existing educational initiatives, making learning about conservation and biodiversity more dynamic and memorable. Ultimately, outdoor musical instruments can help wetland education centers cultivate a vibrant community space that highlights the beauty and importance of the natural environment.