Dr. Robert A. (Bob) Gearheart is an emeritus professor of Environmental Engineering at Humboldt State University, in Arcata, California. He kindly gave a tour of the Arcata Marsh for those of us on the 2010 Journey of the Global ARC.

Dr. Gearheart earned a B.A. in Biology and Mathematics from the University of North Texas, and his M.S. and Ph. D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

In this Global ARC interview, Dr. Gearheart talks about his experience developing Arcata's Integrated Wetland and Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Arcata Marsh. The Arcata Marsh serves as a sewage treatment plant, a recreation area, a wildlife sanctuary and aquaculture project.

By integrating conventional wastewater treatment with the natural treatment processes of constructed wetlands Arcata has succeeded in turning its treated wastewater into a resource. The sanctuary includes 307 acres of freshwater marshes, salt marsh with tidal slough, grassy uplands, tidal mudflats, brackish marsh, 5.4 miles of walking and biking paths and an Interpretive Center that serve over 150.000 visitors every year. Learn more at: arcatamarshfriends.org/