Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation,Inc.

1726 Merrill St.
Boise Idaho 83705
U.S.A.
Email: leroy@garf.org

MISSION STATEMENT

TO PROVIDE THE CITIZENS OF IDAHO AND THE WORLD A SHOWCASE COLLECTION OF AQUATIC PLANTS, FISH, REEF ANIMALS AND PRODUCTS. TO STIMULATE INTEREST IN, APPRECIATION FOR AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF THESE COLLECTIONS. TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH PLANT RECORDS, PUBLIC DISPLAYS, COLLECTIONS, APPLIED RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS, INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS, AND SALES OF QUALITY PRODUCTS.

The research foundation is located in a Victorian home on Historic Warm Springs Ave. In Boise, ID. Most of the homes have unique architecture, are over one hundred years old and have stories that pass from generation to generation. This Ave. is named for its use of geothermal water for heating its homes. Warm Springs Ave. was the first street in the U.S. to utilize Geothermal water for home heating systems.

At the Foundation we are undertaking several research projects all related to Geothermal water and it's unique chemistry. We are concerned that this valuable resource not be lost or wasted. There are many amazing uses for Geothermal water including our research on coral farming,wetlands research and oramental water gardening.

This is a view of the Foundations backyard. One would never know by passing by this home that nestled in the back is this magnificent Wetlands project. This wetlands project was started 20 years ago, and consists of valuable aquatic plants collected around the World to enhance our study of algae control plants and the balance of nature. All of these plants thrive and reproduce rapidly due to the continued use of Geothermal water.

This Geothermal water comes from the run off from people heating their homes. The hot water flows down a ditch and through the Foundations backyard (otherwise this water would be completly wasted). It is amazing to see the water run into the ditch with oils and pollutants from the storm drains .but with the plants working as the filter, when the water leaves the wetlands and returns to the ditch it is cystal clear.

This is another view of the Foundations backyard. We have over four hundred different species of aquatic plants. Most of these plants are hardy to this area which in most books classify us as zone 5. The more tender plants are kept in greenhouses with Geothermal water during the winter months. The most important part of our research is finding the correct balance to control algae with plants not chemicals.

These wetland plants provide beauty throughout the entire year. With the spring unfolding you witness the incredible colors of the water Iris. As summer steams along you see all the breathtaking water liles mixed with the floating plants, bamboos, and the textures of the ortamental grasses. In the fall you see incredible symbols of the changing of the guards with leaves turning colors and mother nature deciding it's time to go to sleep. Yet to the wildlife that inhabit this outdoor heaven in the winter these sleeping wetlands provide them with food and shelter.

Our Wetland research has benefitted many people who are in the process of designing their own backyard habitat. Our students harvest the extra algae control plants making them available to our customers (and believe me they come back year after year and scream it works, it really works!) Anyone who has had an algae problem knows how it can take away the enjoyment of having a backyard pond and consume you with the daily task of trying to remove the algae.

We use this backyard wetlands as an outdoor classroom to teach students about the importance and role these plants carry in helping remove the pollutants before the water flows into our Oceans. There is no place more peaceful, relaxing and therapeutic than the magic of trickling water falls, natures way of reflecting images through water and the sound of so many creatures that live within.

During the day one can spend hours watching the birds, fish wood ducks, blue herons, squirrels, snails and muskrats share in this special place they call home. At night I love to listen to the frogs orchestrating music, along with the owls that rest above in the trees. One wonders if they are thanking us for their home or talking about what their going to do tomorrow. This is the best place in the World to escape from the busy life and touch the remarkable beauty that mother nature gives us.

WETLANDS SAVE THE WORLDS REEFS FROM ALGAE DESTRUCTION
LEARN ABOUT OUR WETLAND RESEARCH
Boise Wetland pond tour 97 Pictures and details of wildlife pond tour

BULLET PROOF REEF

INDEX OF OUR RESEARCH

LOW COST BULLET PROOF REEF AQUARIUM Learn to start an inexpensive reef aquarium
55 GALLON INSTA REEF Visit Rachel Read's 12 week old Bullet Proof Reef Aquarium
MORE PICTURES OF THIS REEF AQUARIUM

GARF RESEARCH HOME PAGE Learn about the other research we are doing
JOIN THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION You can support our research and learn more about reef aquariums and wetlands
Super glue research page We teach you the Super Glue method of invertebrate propagation
Super Glue evaluaton page Our researchers rate many brands of super glue
Geothermal Aquculture Research Foundation Feed Back page E-mail input so we can make these pages better
Natural Algae Control Reef Janitor Order Page - red leg hermits, snails, grunge.

NEW
Research page for Xenia and related soft coral propagation Learn to propagate xenia. Please enter any data you have about these corals.
Soft Coral Propagation Page Pictures and details of soft coral propagation
Stony Coral Propagation Page Pictures and details of small polyp stony corals
Mushroom Anemone Propagation Page Pictures and details of mushroom propagation
Zoanthid and palythoa Anemone Propagation Page Pictures and details of Sea mat propagation
Learn to construct a 140 gallon plywood amd epoxy reef tank

Image Page for Zoanthids and Palythoa

Contact: LeRoy Headlee Sally Jo Headlee | Phone: 208-344-6163 | Fax: 208-344-6189
Email: leroy@garf.org

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