Kentucky Trails Exhibit Design

Informed by ecological knowledge, a zoo exhibit celebrating Kentucky’s native landscapes, waterways, and wildlife integrates a constructed wetland system that improves water stewardship, wildlife habitat, and visitor experiences.

The Louisville Zoo works to advance its mission to “Better the Bond Between People and Our Planet,” through its programming, conservation education, and immersive visitor experiences. One such experience will be the zoo’s planned Kentucky Trails exhibit. Spanning 20 acres, the interactive, naturalistic experience will celebrate the region’s wild and cultural heritage and offer up-close encounters with bison, elk, black bear, bobcat, and other iconic native Kentuckiana species.

As ecology and water experts on a team led by Schmidt Associates and CLR Design, Biohabitats supported the planning and design of the new exhibit, designing an integrated biofiltration wetland system to support the exhibit’s riverine and open water features and their associated habitat areas.

Biohabitats began by identifying opportunities to achieve the project’s stewardship, sustainability, and resiliency goals through the lens of landscape ecology and integrated water strategies. This included conducting a rapid site assessment while delineating Waters of the US within the project footprint.

A new riverine feature will wind through Kentucky Trails, connecting the beaver, otter, and crane habitat exhibits, as well as a buffalo watering hole. To protect the water quality flowing through the feature and the Life Support Systems (LSS) that sustain the associated habitats, Biohabitats designed a biofiltration wetland system consisting of riverine wetlands, pool flush and backwash recovery wetlands that tie the landscape together. Designed to mimic a native Kentucky wetland, the hybrid mechanical/natural system provides nitrogen and TSS management, as well as stormwater. A key element for continuously cleaning the water in the creek and exhibits, the biofiltration wetlands complement the mechanical LSS and offset energy and complexity.

TAGS

• Ecological Restoration