Service Learning IND 209

By: Matt Ellis, Danielle Majchrzak, and Trish Slawiak

EcotrailWhat We Did to

Contribute:Cleaned up garbage

and glassRaked LeavesMoved Tree Logs and

Stones to Form TrailCompost Pile Vinyl Signs

EcotrailPurpose:Place for people to

relax, study, or gather in small learning groups

Place where nature is educational and students can learn about eco- friendly ideas for the environment (exp. compost pile, living roof, & rain gutters)

Ecotrail

Wildlife is welcome because they like to eat here & it’s safe

Bird fell from nest story

Environmental SummitContributions:Set up tables for

presentersHelped presenters

set up and obtain what they need

Recycled electronics & helped unload contributors’ cars

Environmental SummitRecycled:Computers,

monitors, keyboards, VCR players, cells phones& mice

Surprised that there was new technology and fully functional products being recycled as well (exp. Mac)

Environmental SummitWhy Recycle?There are many

materials in technology products, especially cell phones, we can renew

Bad to pollute the Earth and harmful for us if it is put in a landfill due to chemicals

WeatherizationLearned How To:Installed incandescent light bulbs

& carbon monoxide detectorCaulk Weather strip or covers for windows & doorsInsulate pipes Different programs such as WAP (Weatherization

Assistance Program) & HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)

Programs assist income eligible individuals by reducing their heating or cooling costs and improving the energy efficiency of their homes safely

WeatherizationWhy Important Experience:Learn to work with different groups of peopleKeep heat inside the house and eliminate

drafts Learn about future decisions : how to save

money on utility bills and save energy in homes which is better for long term

WeatherizationEmotional Stories:1st house: elder couple2nd house: grandma with asthma and

granddaughter3rd house: elder lady without a leg4th house: young nurse with her son

City HonorsLearned at Lot and on Walk:How to work together with

many different people as a team and we can make a difference

People are trying to help by participating in lending a hand or creating their own gardens

Should maintain old houses instead of build new ones (last longer)

City HonorsBefore Pictures:What was necessary:Had to create a better setting

from an abandoned area where people could comfortably relax

The school can even use this area in order to educate small groups of students

The area would be welcome to everyone and is a good use of space

City HonorsContributions:•Pulled weeds•Shoveled dirt, mulch, or stones for wheel barrel•Planted flowers, trees, & strawberries•Potato sacks by sidewalk in order to plant new grass

City HonorsFinal Outcome:There is a stone pathway

to walk onTrees and flowers are

planted in the mulchStrawberries were plantedArea looks great and has a

positive impact on the community

Inspires people to make a difference

Hospital LotLearned: Cultivated crops and

eliminate weedsPurpose:Cheap, efficient way

to grow crops for the surrounding community and nearby hospital

Future IdeasEveryone should

participate in activities in order to make the society the best place possible

Participate in local events and buy from local markets when possible

Use public transportationRecycle and practice

ways to save energy as much as possible

Future IdeasCreate own gardenHave smaller houses &

familiesShop less & consume

less materials in order to save materials

Ideas for campus sustainability & future trail development:

Campus:Better pathway between Wick &

Duns Scotus (a cover to protect people from bad weather such as wind rain or snow & decrease unsafe jaywalking)

Decorate the wall of the door of D.S. (vines or flowers)

Trail:Artistic bridge to get across the

creek instead of stonesMore distinct entrances More informational research

ConclusionThe problems that we faced included finding

affordable ways for people to change their lifestyle that would conserve energy and better the environment as a whole. Also, instead of wasting resources or materials, we would find useful ways to utilize them, as opposed to throwing them away (dumpster diving/ signs/ benches etc.)

However, we feel that we had a positive impact on the community throughout all of these activities and we realized that if everyone worked together we can make the community more eco friendly and can solve urban and environmental issues one step at a time