Schmeekle Final

Overall, I've had a pretty good experience with the service learning project this semester. I was happy with our decision to volunteer in Schmeekle because it gave us a chance to get outside and interact with nature. I wish I could have done something a little more interactive with people, but due to scheduling conflicts with me and my partner Lauren as well as lack of transportation, we had to make due with a project right here on campus. At first, I wasn't too crazy about having to do a service learning project, even through the first couple of weeks. Because the weather was so uncooperative, we just didn't like the idea of going outside. But as it got nicer out and we actually set up a work schedule with Schmeekle, it was a lot less of a hassle and more fun to go out and walk the trails to pick up litter. I was completely amazed by how much litter there actually was throughout the reserve, and it made me realize just how much of a problem it is. Especially after our class trip to Schmeekle, I developed a greater respect for the plant and animal life out there that may suffer because of pollution caused by people being careless. I am very happy with our efforts because a lot of people use Schmeekle, and no one wants to see garbage everywhere they turn when they go out there to enjoy some time with nature. Now, I am much more conscious of myself and throwing away my own garbage as well as encouraging others not to litter. I notice it around campus more often as well. This project has given me the opportunity to make a difference in the community, which was something new for me because I had never really done much community service in the past. It was fun to do something outside of the classroom as well, because the conventional method of lectures and labs gets a little repetitive at times. I also enjoyed spending extra time with people outside of class because it gave me a chance to get to know Lauren in a more casual setting. It was also fun to see how the environment adapted to the changing seasons, from winter to spring. It's amazing how much nicer everything looked once the snow melted, puddles dried up, and flowers/vegetation started springing up. Overall, it's been fun and I've learned a lot!

Cleaning Schmeekle

This week, Lauren and I took a walk out to Schmeekle to see what we are dealing with. When we got there, we discovered that the area is still quite flooded from the snow. However, we did observe a few animals like a rabbit, a duck in a puddle, and a couple of birds, which could suggest that they are migrating back in for spring. It's very interesting being out there at the turn of the season to observe how the environment and life in it is changing. When we walked around a little more, we noticed that there was indeed a lot of litter. We picked up what we could see, but I'm sure that once the snow is completely gone we will find more. It was fun just to walk through some of the trails and survey the plants and animals while helping make the environment a little cleaner and more pleasant for them.

Deer Project

As I mentioned in my first post I am working with The Wildlife Society and the deer project in specific. I may have to find other opportunities however, as deer trapping may soon be coming to an end as the weather gets warmer and does begin to drop their fawns. The goal of the deer project is to monitor and learn more about the deer herd that lives in Schmeekle and the nearby areas. This is done in large part through radio collaring. Radio collaring allows for tracking of the deer which can tell a lot about its habits and life style. Right now we are trying to get more radio collars on deer through trapping. There are two types of traps that the deer project uses to try to capture deer. The first is a basic box trap. The trap has doors on both ends and is baited in the middle with corn, when the deer enters so far into the trap it trips a wire that closes both doors. The box traps are left open nearly all week and we check them at 7am and 8pm. The other type of trap is a drop net. This type of trap takes a little more work. It is a large net held up on ten foot poles. Volunteers sit in a nearby blind and when the deer move to the bait in the center of the net it is dropped. The deer must then be tackled, blindfolded and radio collared. So far I have not been present for the collaring of any deer although we had deer near the net one night only to be scented by a doe that had moved down wind of us. Overall, it is a very exciting project and I am hopeful that I will get to tackle and collar a deer.

Cleaning Schmeekle

Due to the weather, we are not yet able to fully help out at Schmeekle until it gets warmer. But Sarah and I figured we could at least do a little help, even if it isn't official. We went to Schmeekle and took some observations and thought of some ideas that we could do to help. One big thing we notice and wasn't really expecting, was the amount of litter. I am sure we will find even more when the snow melts. The effect of pollution on the environment can be devastating so we want to do as much as possible.

Another thing we noted was the return and awakening of some animals. Along the trail we noticed many birds chirping and a lot of rabbit droppings. This is definitely a sign that spring is on its way. Catching the eye of some ducks swimming in a puddle of what use to be a nature trail, certainly tells us that we have got some work cut out for us.

Service Learning in Schmeekle

For this service project, I am teaming up with Lauren Wood. What we hope to do is some volunteer work in Schmeekle by helping out in any way they need us. Whether it be picking up litter, clearing trails, or just grooming the area in other ways, we want to help make Schmeekle cleaner and more enjoyable for the people who come to enjoy nature.

The main reason we are doing our service project in Schmeekle, like Lauren said, is because neither of us have access to a car so we had to do something within walking distance. Even so, we are both interested in the environment and how we can help conserve it, so this project will help us do that.

I'm looking forward to doing this project because not only will I be doing good for nature, I will also be learning about the environment. I have only been to Schmeekle once, so it will be fun to see what's all in there and check out some cool animal wildlife as well! Hopefully once we get going, we will maybe even see how our efforts have benefited the environment in different ways.

Schmeekle....

I am partnered Sarah Fahrenkrug and together we will be volunteering our services at the Schmeekle Reserve Center. We will help out in whatever way we can, whether that be cleaning up litter or keeping trails clean. I am not sure exactly what they will have us do because it seems they are reluctant to answer their phone. However when we hear back from them, we will be more informed about how we can help.

Sarah and I chose this activity for a number of reasons. The one main reason is because our limited mobility. We both don't have cars, so we can't travel far. Another reason for it is because I enjoy being outdoors and exploring the environment. I myself have never fully explored Schmeekle, so it will be fun to inspect the new area. The last reason why I found this activity to be interesting was because I want to keep the environment clean, as cliché as it sounds.

I hope to get a lot out of this experience. Firstly a even better respect for my environment, as well as to learn the detrimental affects of pollution and how a healthy environment can flourish.

Deer Project

For my service learning project I will be working with the Deer Project that is run here at Stevens Point through the Wildlife Society. The deer project works mainly with the deer that live on campus (in Schmeekle mostly) and the surrounding areas. I decided to work on this project because I had already been out trapping deer with the project a couple of times already and knew it would be a great opportunity for my service learning project. What I will be specificly doing is working with the deer project's leader to help him trap, collar and monitor the deer. I will also be helping out with the maintenance of the traps and any other jobs that need to be completed to help the project run smoothly. I am excited about this project and hope to get a good understanding of what goes into a project like this and how I can get involved in the future. I would really like to become a project leader myself and be in charge of my own project in the next couple of years. This service learning project will help me get my foot in the door to become a project leader.