This has been a very productive week to be sure. I constructed a simple 12x16" press and scoured the woodlot for specimens to press for a herbarium. The process of collecting and identifying these specimens, some of which were very difficult to identify among numerous relatives, has not only made me much more confident using and navigating through guidebooks, but also more knowledgable of the different plants that grow in the area, most of which I did not know beforehand. Additionally, I have learned a great deal about plant anatomy and structure.
This week, I also concentrated on some mapping with a GPS, marking important landmarks and each of the 30 or so vernal pools on the woodlot. GPS mapping is a central practice today in the conservation world, so my experience will serve as a good background as I go on to study conservation biology and wildlife ecology within my sustainable agriculture major. The information I collect will be used to create a hand-drawn map of our woodlot.
I got the chance to meet with both David and Doug a lot this week, and they have provided a wealth of knowledge for me as I learn more and more about my place. David and Doug provided two perspectives on management and how best to protect wetlands and wildlife habitat. While it is important to just let things be, logging (in an ecologically thoughtful manner) can provide food and diversity to the forest. I good balance between the two is probably the best solution to the management of a forest, and one should always take into account what lives in that forest before altering it.
David has been a huge help to me this week; explaining vernal pool ecology, identifying plants, helping me with my herbarium, and offering suggestions for my map. It has been a profound pleasure to work with him his month and while my project will be coming to a close shortly, my relationship with David will not.
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