Restoring an Ecologically-Sound and Educationally-Integrated Urban Forest:Washtenaw Community College Natural Area Management PlanClient: Shawn Severance, Campus Landscape Planner, Washtenaw Community CollegeGroup Members: Martha Gruelle [email protected] Walker [email protected] Knox [email protected]. Introduction:Interested in ecological restoration, urban forestry, ecosystem processes, and environmental education? This may be a project for you. Work in the Ann Arbor area with a client offering facilities, volunteers and possible financial support. 1. Statement of the Problem:Due to lack of management, this 160-acre natural area, adjacent to and owned by Washtenaw Community College, is direly underutilized for environmental education and has suffered the invasion of non-native species.This Urban Forest has striking similarities to other underutilized natural areas in urban areas elsewhere and has the potential to be an important model for the management of those areas.2. Purpose of the Study: This project will provide guidance for the ecological restoration of WCCC’s natural area, and promotion of environmental stewardship through education. A maintenance plan will reduce harmful human impacts and provide for sustainability of human interaction with local natural resources. The area’s adjacency to an urban educational institution provides opportunities to increase ecological health as well as the community’s participation in stewardship. At the same time, this project can serve as a model for improving human interactions with natural features in urban settings.3. Research Questions:-How can this urban forest be utilized for environmental education?-How can the Washtenaw Community College community of volunteers, students, faculty and staff be involved in the implementation of project recommendations?-What are the most important ecological features of this area to be considered in its management?-What are the best opportunities for environmental education using the natural area?4. Research Procedure(s):-Inventory species-Construct ecosystem map-Survey community environmental education needs-Research literature and best management practices -Interview college staff and volunteers about current management practices, and assess how a future plan could best be integrated 5. Group Members Desired:Educators -program developmentLandscape architects and designers: -site plan Environmental psychologists: -analysis of community natural resource motivationsStatististicians -data analysis1Environmental scientists/ecologists -ecosystem analysis and site planningEconomists/CEMPers/ -project budgeting and implementationWeb Designer -Create educational website5. Timeline & Resources:Winter 2004 Refine project direction and develop the research methodologyBegin data collectionPlan for Fall 2004Fall 2004 Review collected data, identify holes and fill themFinal Results in and analysis in full swingWinter 2005 Compose work products:Resources: client offers facilities, volunteers and possible financial support. 6. Anticipated Products:A management plan for this 160 acre natural area including:- Species inventories of the site (plants, animals and fungi)- Baseline ecosystem map of the property- Burn plan including schedules and guidelines- Maintenance schedule for the property including setting up volunteer workdays- Budget for implementationAn environmental education plan including:- Potential interpretive trails and maps- Course design, classes, clubs and/or workshops6a. Interested parties include:Washtenaw Community College students, staff and facultyLocal residentsPublic schools, colleges and youth groups in the surrounding area7. References:Understanding urban ecosystems : a new frontier for science and education / Authors: Cary Conference (8th : 1999 : Institute of Ecosystem Studies) Published: New York : Springer, c2003. Land use and forest resources in a changing environment : the urban/forest interface / Authors: National Symposium on the Urban/Forest Interface : Land Use and Forest Resources in a Changing Environment (1982 : Seattle, Wash.) Ecological Species Groups of oak ecosystems of southeastern MichiganAuthors: Archibault, Louis (Forest Science, us, 35:1058-74 Dec '89) 2A role for ecological restoration work in university environmental education Author: Bowler, Peter A.; Kaiser, Florian G.; Hartig, Terry Source: The Journal of Environmental Education, us, 30 no4:19-26 Summer
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