Tree Study A Catalyst for Stewardship

Tree Study:A Catalyst for Stewardship

Virginia Association of Science Teachers

Mary Van Dykeand

Luzdary Chamorro

2013

Our Story

Introduction

• History• Site, Goals, and Logistics• Day 1 – Build Relationships• Day 2 – Our Tree• Day 3 – Trees in the Ecosystem• Stewardship and STEM Extensions • Resources: http://goo.gl/GuX5f

History

• Jeff Kirwan• Project Learning Tree• i-Tree

Gunston Middle School

Why?• Reinforces

curriculum

• Uses technology

• Problem-based

learning

• Project-based

learning

• Social perspective

• Value, risks, benefits

• Multi-disciplinary

• Tree biology

• Ecology

• Economics

• Classification

• Quantitative skills

• Stewardship

Goals for Tree Study

• Engage students in qualitative and quantitative observations• Catalyze design process and stewardship

Trees Give Us Many Things

By Rudy Wendelin, Courtesy of US Forest Service

Community Partners

LogisticsCosts and Materials Minimal Investment• Tree ID books• Tapes• Cameras• Computers

Class Time• 3 Sessions

for Initial Study

When• Late March to October

Tools

Risk and Plan B

Accessibility

Language

Day 1- Build Relationships

• Introduce Community Partners

• My Favorite Tree

• Goods From the Woods

• Tree Biology

My Favorite Tree

Goods from the Woods

Tree Functions

How Does a Tree Work?

Every Log Tells a Story…

Ecosystems

Day 2 – Our Tree• Choose and identify a Tree

• Tree Health Assessment

• Use i-Tree Designhttp://www.itreetools.org/design.php

• Monetize the Tree’sEcosystem Services

Tree Benefitso Stormwater Runoff Reduction

o Energy Consumption

o Air Quality

o CO2 Sequestration

o Wildlife Habitat Value

o Social Value

o Property Value

o Timber Value

$$ Tree Benefits

Trees at Gunston Middle School2700 S Lang Street Arlington 22207

Tree Benefits calculated using i-Tree Design Team: Gunston Middle School 6th GradeDate: September 2013

Tree # Species

Circumference at Breast Height, inches

ConditionExcellent, Good, Fair, Poor , Dead or Dying

$$ Overall Annual Benefit calculated byi-Tree Design

1Cherry Tree, Kwanzaan 34 Poor $7.80

2Loblolly Pine on bank 64 Good $61.30

3White Pine on median 49 Excellent $37.44

4 Oak #1 73 Fair $74.29

Comparisons

Cherry, Kwanzan

Cherry, Kwanzan

Pine, Eastern White

Pine, Eastern White

Condition Poor Excellent Excellent Excellent

Circumference 34” 34” 34” 49”

Diameter 10.8” 10.8” 10.8” 15.6”

Total Benefits $ 7.80 $ 13.12 $ 18.55 $ 37.44

Stormwater Intercepted

525 gallons 807 gallons 1232 gallons 2582 gallons

CO2 reduction 115 pounds 230 pounds 213 pounds 399 pounds

Day 3 – Ecosystems

• Appreciation• Design• Stewardship

Day 3 - APS GreenScene Video

http://bcove.me/knbdlll8

Stewardship

STEM Extensions

Animation of tree growth

Earth Force/Caring For Our Watersheds - Process

MAP

BUILD CommunityFunding, Outreach and Media

PULL Invasives

PROPOSE a NO IVY DAY

PLANT for Pollinators

PICK UP Litter

MAKE Tree Tags

The BIG Picture

Resources: http://goo.gl/GuX5fIncludes Gunston Middle School Project: Planning Documents and Spanish/English Worksheets http://goo.gl/qNsr5a

Thanks!• Arlington Public Schools

• Gunston Middle School• Virginia Cooperative Extension

• 4-H• Master Gardeners• Arlington Regional Master Naturalists• Tree Stewards Arlington Alexandria

• Arlington County• Casey Trees• Earth Force

Contact

Luzdary [email protected]

Mary Van [email protected]