Follow up

Over  all the project was successful and we completed restoring the area of the park. Even though we finished, we will still occasionally meet to still work on an ongoing project.

Big Ideas Project

For our Big Ideas project, we worked on environmental restoration at Tule Ponds, a local park in our community. Tule Ponds was founded in 1998 by the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. Their initial purpose for the project was to construct three ponds and a system to filter water while maintaining a natural reserve for wildlife. We worked to restore and maintain the area. In general we worked to improve the conditions of the pond by weeding, clearing trails, and planting. To be more specific, Dr. Blueford assigned the group ⅙ of an acre to plant native species, remove invasive species, and to clear a path that runs through the land. First, I started to remove the invasive Birch wood trees from the area that were choking and taking up room for the native wild sage we were trying to promote. To remove the birch wood trees we started cutting the branches and limbs of the trees with shears, saws, and muscle to just leave their stumps. Then after all but the stump was removed we applied a natural herbicide that would kill the tree while leaving the native sage alive and with more room to grow. Next, we worked to beautify the trail that ran through our area by raking up leaves, removing any branches that were blocking the path, and picking up any trash we saw. This was the easier part of the project but took the longest since the trail was so large.  Lastly to promote the health of the environment of the ponds, we started the process of planting more wild sage that we first protected from the invasive Birch wood tree. Dr. Blueford explained how we could use the trimmings of the long branches of the sage that were blocking the trail and place them in the greenhouse to create more plants. We used the trimmings of wild sage and placed them in planters with fertilizer. After the sage plants grow after a couple of weeks they will be ready to plant and thus increase the health of the ponds.

The biggest problem of the project was scheduling a time where the entire group could meet for several hours and another problem was the weather. The rain was very beneficial to the pond’s plants and animals, but some days were ended short due to heavy rain. Also, bugs played a role in who did certain work. Some group members weren’t to fond of wasps and spiders that we are all passionate to finish and work hard on since the pond is part of the community and we we faced when we cut down the invasive Birchwood trees.The group correctly chose a project that occasionally visit. Also the group was willing to get sweaty and dirty to finish the project. The group also working well together to accomplish the common goal to make the ponds a place where everyone would like to visit. All in all, the group could have improved communication since some of the meeting times were mixed up.

The effects of the project were very beneficial to the community that uses the pond but more importantly the native plants and animals there. . We can see how much we improved the environment by the amount of land we rid of invasive plants like weeds. We can also calculate the improvements by the number of trees and plants we planted. Also, we can ask the community we helped and determine if we made a significant difference in the beauty of the park. We have affected the population of native species by removing invasive species that were taking up space where the natives would grow and starting the process of planting more native wild sage. The planting of native species doesn’t just directly help the plant but the local indigenous wildlife such as birds and insects that use the wild sage as shelter and a source of food. We also have affected the accessibility of the pond since the residents in the community near the pond can easily walk on a sturdy surface and allow a clear path for wheelchairs and the beauty of the pond since the wild sage we planted and protected has a sweet scent and beautiful flowers.  

January Update

The project is doing really well. We are starting to meet at Tule ponds every other Saturday. We have started clearing out the area and have made a lot of progress. I see our group finishing this very quickly.
Our group has recently met at Tule ponds and started our service project. We started to clear the 1/6 acre area of invasive species like birch wood and weeds. Then we also cut back and cleared a trail running through the area. After we took out the invasive species, we planted more native species like wild sage and maple trees where the invasive species were. All in all our project is doing very well and we have made tremendous progress. While I was left cutting and removing the invasive species, the girls planted the new native plants.
 One concern is that we have lots to do but I think we can get this done. Another concern is the weather, since it rained on us the other weekend and we had to leave early.

project proposal

https://docs.google.com/a/fusdk12.net/document/d/1zTb9fGvr8uqWdvNtG7OswzWPusnf8ePf5MxOANkhTjA/edit?usp=sharing

Mentor Report

My group, Nate, Sri, and Sonia, and I interviewed Dr. Blueford on Saturday December 6th at Tule Ponds at around 9:30 A.M. Dr. Blueford informed us that Tule Ponds serves our community in many ways but it is mainly used for "flood control and as a wild life sanctuary for the many species" in our community. She needs our help in restoring the native flora in the empty spaces surrounding the lake. For our project we have decided to go to Tule Ponds every other Saturday to help plant native trees and plants so that we can restore our community's environment and provide a nurturing habitat for the wild life.

We weren't able to take picture with Dr. Blueford.

One can contact Dr.Blueford at 1999 Walnut Ave, Fremont

Rhetorical Precis

      A member of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, a group science leaders, policy makers, and the interested public on topics of nuclear weapons and disarmament, the changing energy landscape, climate change, and emerging technologies, John Mecklin, in his interview, Jerry Brown: Climate change policy in California--and beyond, discusses the major problems facing California. He discusses with Governor Brown how the economics of controlling greenhouse gas emissions, the difficulty of gaining Republican support for climate change action, the role of religious leaders in changing public opinion on global warming, the climate change implications of California’s high-speed rail project, and the possibility that the climate could be a major issue in the 2016 elections. John Mecklin's purpose is to discuss the major issues in California in order to educate the public on major issues. He adopts a strong tone interviewing Governor Brown.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TdeAbW6-Tcb0zMvXskS1Xv4puJMee8eMxsJSYwqi8UM/edit?usp=sharing

Solution 2

http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/tp/globalwarmtips.htm

                “You can help to reduce the demand for fossil fuels, which in turn reduces global warming, by using energy more wisely. Here are 10 simple actions you can take to help reduce global warming.” Even helping a little everyday can help stem the effects of global warming by recycling, using less energy, and planting trees. Also you can help encourage others to join the fight against climate change by sending letters to your congress man to vote for ecological friendly laws. Less energy use will mean less dependence on fossil fuels that will help fight global warming.