Senior Experience on Odell's Pond
14 October 2008 Senior Experience on Odells Pond
Alex Gray 09 is focusing his Senior Integrative Experience (SIE) on Odells pond. As an environmental studies major, Gray wants his SIE to promote sustainability on campus now and for the future. Gray explains he was encouraged by Paul Kehle, assistant professor of education, to pursue a project in which he combined both his environmental studies and his biology majors while keeping the thought of sustainability in mind.
Originally from Dorset, Vt., Gray has loved the outdoors since he was young. I have always had an interest in wildlife; when I was a kid, I always said I wanted to be a wildlife veterinarian, he explains. When I came to HWS, I took a class in environmental studies andimmediately had a realization that we, as individuals, need to do our part in order to live more sustainably on this earth. The sustainability concept developed into restorationas I got further into the biology/environmental science curriculum andit endedup being a greatoutlet for my sustainability drive and my love for ecology.
Grays Odells pond restoration project is elaborate and will take more than one semester to implement. Therefore, his short-term goal is to develop a plan to be carried out in the future. He is currently learning as much as possible about the ponds history and water in order to put his restoration project into action.
The ultimate goal and hope is that Odells pond will be restored to a point where it can be considered a Backyard Habitat. Backyard Habitats, according to the National Wildlife Federation, are small areas of land that specific species have been found to occupy. The habitat must contain food, water, shelter, a place for the species to raise their young. The habitat must also include sustainable gardening practices to ensure that the habitat will continue to survive.
There is no better time toattempt a restoration than when theColleges are gearedtoward this campaign to promote sustainable living, says Gray. The pondis a great resourceand not a lot of people take advantage of it. This restoration will draw more attention toitas a wildlife habitat andperhaps people will have more respect for it. The hope is that it will also be used as a learning tool where professors can take their students to observe and research some local species.