Reference no: EM132228159
Assignment: Service Learning Project
Develop a plan for a Service Learning Project in your area. The project should be based on one of the following optionsand include the role of ecosystem services and the function of species interrelations in ecosystem management as well an assessment of the approaches used to manage and restore forests. Use the planning tableprovided with your project choice.
Select and complete one of the following assignments:
Option 1: Sustainable Native Plant Species Garden Project
Option 2: Native Pollinator Population Recovery Project
Option 3: Habitat Restoration Project
Option 1: Sustainable Native Plant Species Garden Project
Select an unused area in your neighborhood that can be converted into a sustainable native garden using at least 10 local, indigenous species. Possibilities include abandoned lots, industrial or business parks, roof tops, green spaces in front of government buildings, street medians, parking lot grass patches, church yards, community parks, or local forest preserves.
Complete the following four steps:
1. Find 10 native species by locating your state's Department of Natural Resources.
2. Complete the Service Planning Table below by listing the key points needed to developa plan that incorporates the ecological and biological principles of sustainability into your project.
3. Prepare a 700- to 800-wordletter to the landowner requesting use of the space for the garden and outline the benefits of a having a native plant species garden within the community. Consider ecosystem services, beautification, and education. The letter should include the points completed from the planning table.
4. Submitboth your letter and completed planning table to your instructor.
Option 2: Native Pollinator Population Recovery Project
Selecta specific, local native pollinator species from one of the following groups: bumblebees, birds, bats, moths, or butterflies.
Determine this species' ecological and economical roles in your region.
Explain the issues surrounding local and global pollinator decline and create recommendations for a local recovery plan.
Develop specific recommendations for your community based on environmental and ecological principles used to create suitable habitats for pollinators. For example, consider creating nesting sites or boxes in your neighborhood, ample and consistent food supply (such as gardens) over the entire growing season, and reduced chemicals or pesticides in your area. Note that honeybees were imported from Eurasia and are, therefore, not native pollinators.
Complete the following four steps:
1. Find 10a specific local pollination by searchingyour state's Department of Natural Resources.
2. Completethe Service Planning Tableto developa plan that incorporates the principles of sustainability into your project.
3. Preparea 700- to 800-word call-to-action letter to a local newspaper outlining recommendations. The letter should include the benefits of having healthy pollinator populations for your state or area and the points completed from the planning table. Consider ecosystem services, agriculture, economics, beautification, and education.
4. Submitboth your letter and completed panning table to your instructor.
Option 3: Habitat Restoration Project
Select a degraded terrestrial habitat and develop a plan to restore that habitat. The plan must include ecological and environmental considerations; such as trash removal, soil amendment, removal of invasive species, and erosion control; and a list of 10 key native species and their interactions. Suitable habitat sites include woodlots, former tree plantations, oldfield sites that were previously used for agriculture, and nature preserves overrun by invasive species.
Complete the following four steps:
1. Find 10 native species by locating your state's Department of Natural Resources.
2. Complete the Service Planning Tableby listing the key points needed to develop a plan that incorporates the ecological and biological principles of sustainability into your project.
3. Prepare a 10- to 12-slide Microsoft®PowerPoint®presentation for the local government agency or land-owner responsible for the land that needs to be restored. Include the benefits of a having the restored site within the community and the points completed from the planning document. Consider ecosystem services, economics, beautification, and education. The slidepresentation should include appropriategraphics and a detailed notes section with a minimum of 350 to 500 words.
4. Submit both your presentation and completed planning table to your instructor.