Great Pacific Garbage Patch Project Reflection
For this project we were asked to choose the topic that we were most interested in. We were provided with four issues to choose from: (The human-bear conflict, Mega fires, Colony collapse disorder, and The great pacific garbage patch (GPGP)) I chose the garbage patch because I had learned a little bit about it in the past and had some basic knowledge about it but I later realized that I had underestimated every aspect of this aquatic landfill.
After stocking up on information I had to come up with proposals for how Durango could help cure this issue. I focused mainly on slowing and stopping accumulation to the GPGP. The proposal that I felt would have the fastest and most affective outcome was plastic reduction. My first idea was to cut plastic completely but then I realized that since plastic has become such an everyday product in most of out lives, getting rid of it altogether would be a little impractical because it would be extremely time consuming and because a large percentage of consumers would be against it. My next idea was to encourage people, though newspaper articles, speeches, and radio broadcasts, to reduce their use of plastic by switching to more recyclable types and/or to use alternatives like metal or cloth containers. This would reduce the amount of plastic being disposed of and therefore reduce the amount of garbage making its way to the GPGP.
I used and expanded all of the skills that I have learned so far in this class. I found that the research was the hardest part since there is no exact information on the GPGP (only estimations).
I found the economic part of this issue really interesting, mostly because most people overlook it. I had never thought about how much I would cost to get that far into the ocean. Through this project and through making my management plans I realized how much of an essential product plastic has become in the lives of most people in this country, something that I had never thought about before.
Overall, this project war really enlightening in many different ways, I gained information on a couple of different topics, not only the GPGP. I enjoyed learning about it and look forward to the next project!
After stocking up on information I had to come up with proposals for how Durango could help cure this issue. I focused mainly on slowing and stopping accumulation to the GPGP. The proposal that I felt would have the fastest and most affective outcome was plastic reduction. My first idea was to cut plastic completely but then I realized that since plastic has become such an everyday product in most of out lives, getting rid of it altogether would be a little impractical because it would be extremely time consuming and because a large percentage of consumers would be against it. My next idea was to encourage people, though newspaper articles, speeches, and radio broadcasts, to reduce their use of plastic by switching to more recyclable types and/or to use alternatives like metal or cloth containers. This would reduce the amount of plastic being disposed of and therefore reduce the amount of garbage making its way to the GPGP.
I used and expanded all of the skills that I have learned so far in this class. I found that the research was the hardest part since there is no exact information on the GPGP (only estimations).
I found the economic part of this issue really interesting, mostly because most people overlook it. I had never thought about how much I would cost to get that far into the ocean. Through this project and through making my management plans I realized how much of an essential product plastic has become in the lives of most people in this country, something that I had never thought about before.
Overall, this project war really enlightening in many different ways, I gained information on a couple of different topics, not only the GPGP. I enjoyed learning about it and look forward to the next project!
DNS Paper
Durango Nature studie is a 104 acre, two-part program that incorporates standard-bases science learning opportunities. It is located ½ and hour away from Durango on Highway 550, right at the base of Bondad Hill. DNS is open to many research projects lead by college professors and wildlife biologists.
Before the land beacame DNS the property had been used as a gravel pit on the top 35 acres, oil and gas development, and cattle grazing on the lower 105 acres. Now the upper part is used for public access and parking. There is a footpath that leads down to the lower part of DNS where there are trails that wander through a wide variety of habitats – riparian, meadows, oak woodlands, pinon juniper forests, and desert arroyos.
Schol projects and eagle scouts have helped out by contributing things like the solar-water pump and a floating dock for the pond. Other groups like the Lions Club and BP America have donated money and services to help make DNS how it is today.
DNS is open to the public every Saturday, May-October with an entry fee of $1
10th grade AHS Biology students payed a visit to DNS to colllect data and info on the status of the Bullfrog and the Leopard Frog.
The Bullfrog is native to Central and Eastern US, making the an invasive species in Colorado. Invasive species are species that are not native. They overide the native species – in this case, the Leopard Frog. The Bullfrogs are taking over the Leopard Frog’s habitad, pushing them into the middle of the pond where the bluegill fish can easily eat them. Becase of this the Leopard Frogs are in danger of extintion.
Before the land beacame DNS the property had been used as a gravel pit on the top 35 acres, oil and gas development, and cattle grazing on the lower 105 acres. Now the upper part is used for public access and parking. There is a footpath that leads down to the lower part of DNS where there are trails that wander through a wide variety of habitats – riparian, meadows, oak woodlands, pinon juniper forests, and desert arroyos.
Schol projects and eagle scouts have helped out by contributing things like the solar-water pump and a floating dock for the pond. Other groups like the Lions Club and BP America have donated money and services to help make DNS how it is today.
DNS is open to the public every Saturday, May-October with an entry fee of $1
10th grade AHS Biology students payed a visit to DNS to colllect data and info on the status of the Bullfrog and the Leopard Frog.
The Bullfrog is native to Central and Eastern US, making the an invasive species in Colorado. Invasive species are species that are not native. They overide the native species – in this case, the Leopard Frog. The Bullfrogs are taking over the Leopard Frog’s habitad, pushing them into the middle of the pond where the bluegill fish can easily eat them. Becase of this the Leopard Frogs are in danger of extintion.