By Emily B. and Rachel W.

1. 

Dep

th =

6 in

. G

rain

y S

and

Dep

th=

4 in

. F

ine

San

d w

/ org

anic

Mat

eria

l

2. D

epth

= 1

.5 in

. S

mal

l peb

bles

/san

d

D

epth

= 1

.7 in

. S

and

3. D

epth

= .5

in.

Fin

e S

and

D

epth

= .5

in.

Gra

iny

San

d

4. D

epth

= 3

.75

in. C

lay

w/p

ebbl

es

Dep

th=

2.5

in.

San

d +

Cla

y w

/ peb

bles

5. D

epth

= .5

in. F

ine

San

d

D

epth

= .2

5 in

. San

d

6. D

epth

= 1

.75

in.

Fin

e S

and

D

epth

= 2

.25

in. C

lay

7. D

epth

= 2

.2 in

. Gra

iny

San

d

D

epth

= 1

in. C

lay

8. D

epth

= .2

5 in

. Ver

y F

ine

San

d

D

epth

= .5

in.

Cla

y/ F

ine

San

d

10. D

epth

= 3

.9 in

. C

lay

w/p

ebbl

es

Dep

th (

belo

w d

am)=

3 in

. Gra

iny

San

d

Dep

th (

abov

e da

m)=

7 in

. Gra

iny

San

d

11. D

epth

= 1

in. C

hunk

y C

lay

D

epth

(be

low

dam

)= 1

.25

in. C

lay

w/d

ebris

D

epth

(ab

ove

dam

)= 2

in. C

lay

12. D

epth

= 1

.75

in. T

hick

Mud

Dep

th (

belo

w d

am)=

10.

25 in

. Cla

y w

/org

anic

mat

eria

l and

peb

bles

D

epth

(ab

ove

dam

)= 9

in. C

lay

w/

deco

mpo

sing

mat

eria

l

13. D

epth

= 3

in. A

lmos

t C

lay

D

epth

= 2

.7 in

. Fin

e S

and

14. D

epth

= 1

1 in

. Gra

iny

San

d

D

epth

= 1

2.25

in. G

rain

y S

and

w/

orga

nic

mat

eria

l

15. D

epth

= 1

.2 in

. Gra

iny

San

d

D

epth

= .5

in. C

lay/

San

d

16. D

epth

= 1

.25

in. G

rain

y S

and

D

epth

= 1

.5 in

. Ver

y G

rain

y S

and

17. D

epth

= 5

.2 in

. Fin

e S

and

Dep

th=

5 in

. Fin

e S

and/

Cla

y

18. D

epth

= .2

5 in

. Big

Peb

bles

/Gra

iny

San

d

Dep

th=

.5 in

. G

rain

y S

and/

lg. P

ebbl

es

19. D

epth

= 3

in. G

rain

y S

and

D

epth

= 2

.5 in

. F

ine

San

d

20. D

epth

= 2

.25

in. C

lay

D

epth

= 8

.5 in

. Cla

y w

/ org

anic

M

ater

ial

21. D

epth

= 1

.1 in

. Thi

ck S

moo

th S

and

D

epth

= 2

in. C

lay/

Ver

y F

ine

San

d

9. D

epth

= 2

.5 in

. Cla

y

D

epth

= 5

.5 in

. C

lay

2-4 Length= 119 in.

4-7 Length= 96 in. 7-10 Length= 92 in.

10-13 Length= 124 in.

13-16 Length= 83 in. 16-19 Length= 86 in.

1-3

Wid

th=

77

in.

1-3

Wid

th=

77 in

.

5-6

Wid

th=

85

in.

5-6

Wid

th=

77

in.

8-9

Wid

th=

67

in.

8-9

Wid

th=

64

in.

11-1

2 W

idth

= 5

8 in

.

11-1

2 W

idth

= 6

4 in

.

14-1

5 W

idth

= 4

6 in

.

14-1

5 W

idth

= 5

8.5

in.

17-1

8 W

idth

= 8

4 in

17-1

8 W

idth

= 8

7in.

20-2

1 W

idth

= 1

08 in

.

20-2

1 W

idth

= 1

11 in

.

A Day as A Beaver

Dam

KEY:

Blue: Before

Red: After

Blue Background: Width

Green Background: Depth and sediment type

Medicinal Plants and Pharmacology By: Mike Bernstein

Introduction During my stay at Governors Institute of Vermont, I researched and

experimented with the medicinal uses of plants as well as the pharmacology. I looked into both beneficial and harmful effects of local plants. To start my research, I would name a common ailment that I get while backpacking. I then researched the plants that have the medicinal properties to cure this illness. I would then select one of these plants that are found locally to research in depth. I would identify this plant in Centennial Woods and create a poultice or tea from its roots, leaves, or flower and “guinea pig” my product. Later, while on campus, I researched the pharmacology of the plant and specifically what where the chemical properties it contained and how it affected the body.

Although poison ivy has no beneficial medicinal purposes, however, it has an interesting pharmacology. Poison Ivy leaves are shinny because they contain the Urushiol Oil which if you brush up against it will transfer to your skin and be absorbed within two and three hours. Urushiol Oil binds to the skin membrane it is metabolized into a quinone derivative. Although this is not actually harmful your immune system doesn’t recognize these cells as apart of your body and body and rejects it. This is when the rash is created. The rash will subside generally after two week and usually leaves no permanent scars. The jewel weed (as seen bellow) is said to counter-act the Urushiol and should be rubbed on the spot of contact to Poison Ivy. There is not much information on this because there is not enough evidence to confirm Jewelweed as a legitimate antidote. Although, I have observed its effectiveness when I accidentally brushed against poison ivy, began to itch and jewel weed subsided all itching. Poison Ivy can be identified by having three shinny leaves and relatively short. Jewel weed is also know as touch-me-not and has the little pods that pop upon touching them.

Poison Ivy

Milk Thistle The seeds from Milk Thistle may be eaten as food but they also serve a much purpose. If ingested, they may repair and protect the liver. The seed extract contains Silymarin which blocks toxins from entering the liver. The liver is the only organ I nthe body that can regenerate itself and Silymarin helps by stimulating the production of protein which builds up the liver.

Red Clover Red Clover can be used to cure athletes foot, burns and ulcers. With this plant I created a poultice which requires a couple specimens and mortar and pestle. You mash up the plant and apply it to the irritated area. The plant itself can be eaten but its more tangible if its boil before eating. It contains lots of protein.

Rose Hips Rose Hips have the ablility to prevent and cure scurvy. You can eat the skin and flesh from around the seed filled center. This contains a lot of Vitamin C which is crucial for your immune system. Vitamin C fights off lots of diseases, scurvy being on of them.

Queen Anne’s Lace

The roots of the tea can be drank as a tea and that will serve as bacterial. The seeds may also be eaten as a contraceptive. The seeds may prevent the sperm from fertilizing the egg.

Dandelion Dandelions are a very common plant but actually serve a lot of medicinal purposes. It can be used as a weigh loss plan, its fully edible, and can clear Urinary Track issues. Dandelion extract stimulates bile production which increases your metabolism rate. In emergency all parts of the plant can be eaten.

Raccoon front paw print Photo by Simon Butler

Raccoon rear paw print Photo by Simon Butler

White tail deer hoof print

Photo by James Caswell

Raccoon ( Procyon Lotor )

White Tail Deer ( Odocoileus Virinianus )

Stealth cam in action

Topic/question: During my week at GIV I researched the benefits other animals gain from the activity of beavers in a particular environment.

Process/field work: To actively research the animals that were benefiting from the beavers abandoned dam, I had to research the art of tracking. When I understood the fundamentals of tracking ( finding water sources, food sources, trails and prints), I set about finding tracks. I set up a stealth camera to obtain pictures of these animals but it was less than successful (as seen above ).

Results: The most common and abundant tracks that I found were raccoon, and deer tracks.

Hypothesis: After researching the behavior and ideal habitats for these two animals I came to a hypothesis. The beaver dam creates a body of still water, in which many organisms such as crawfish, frogs, and assorted plants can live. These organisms provide a excellent food source for raccoons and deer.

How are other animals effected by the activity of beavers?

By Simon Butler

One of the many beaver dams

SOLUTIONS

Restrict recreational vehicle use, walking, and venturing from original trails

Continuing research to assess the severity of potential threats 

Respect nature and manage issues that negatively impact the environment

DAMAGE

Porcupine 

Burl Wood: a fast growing abnormal growth due to environmental stress and damage 

Beaver 

Human 

ROOTS OF PROBLEMS

Erosion: the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away Pine Weevil: wood‐

boring beetle  

Weak Branch Unions: weak branches attached to a tree 

Tipping: tree turns over from roots 

Weather 

Asian Long‐Horned beetle:  They cause damage to trees.   Once their presence has been detected the trees are destroyed to stop the spread. 

Centennial Woods maintains a healthy ecosystem.  New trees are found near the site of deceased trees, which shows the healthy process of succession occurring.  

CONCLUSION

POTENTIAL

Soil Core and Characteristics

Tree Plots

Tree Identification  

Research   

METHODS

Worms