Friday, September 27, 2013

Jakub Niedzwiecki Reflection on Glacial Park

I had a great time at glacial park. From planting tiny acorns in a savannah prairie, to going waist deep into buckthorn with a hand saw, I think this trip was a valuable, hands-on learning experience. 

                                                

This trip was beneficial because we actually got to experience what restoration ecology is all about. We learned about the importance of getting rid of invasive species from an area so life can exist naturally. We helped restore the indigenous life by removing the buckthorn and honeysuckle out of the area. We helped Mother Nature do what it does naturally.  We sped up the natural cycle by getting rid of the unwanted species of invasive plants and let the forest reclaim its natural land. I thought this was pretty amazing. 

Another aspect of restoration ecology that we got to experience was the managing and planting of the savannah prairie.  


We planted acorn seeds as well as watered some 50+ of oak saplings. This was a rewarding experience because one day, probably not in our lifetime, there will be an oak tree forest in the location where we planted those acorns. 



I think that restoration ecology is a vital area of study for modern society. Our work there on Wednesday was minute in the grand scope of things but it was significant in learning how humans can maintain nature as well as destroy it. A lot of hard work goes into fixing it, but very little is thought about it when we harm it. It was a humbling yet enriching experience. 



2 comments:

  1. Hi Jakub...for whatever reason your pictures did not show up...please check over your blog and possibly edit it from either a desktop or the blogger app...Thanks!

    ReplyDelete