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Learn how The Nature Conservancy (TNC) puts people into the "biodiversity story" with programs at Sam's Point Preserve in the Hudson Valley's Shawangunk Mountains. Using oral histories, field studies, artifacts, and local historic newspaper accounts, TNC is teaching students and the community about fire's important role in preserving biodiversity. Cara Lee, director, and Heidi Wagner, preserve manager, Shawangunk Ridge Program; Jennifer Gilles, science teacher, Ellenville MS, and Emma Sears, environmental educator, presented this program at THV's 2008 summer institute. See related lesson plans at http://tinyurl.com/y88rxop.
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Weaving People and Place Together:
Telling the Biodiversity Story at Sam’s Point Preserve
Teaching the Hudson Valley Institute
Cara Lee, Emma Sears, Heidi Wagner and Jennifer Gilles
Sam’s Point Preserve
A unique landscape… “in our backyard”
Biodiversity of the Shawangunks
A large number of plant and animal species in a relatively small area....
* 35 natural communities
* 5 globally rare plant communities
* 200 species of nesting birds
* 57 rare and imperiled plant and animal species
Conditions That Give Rise To Biodiversity
• Ecoregional “edge”
•Exposed, rugged environs
• Thin soils
• Droughty conditions
• Well-defined microclimates
• Highly adapted plant and animal species
Threat: Fire suppression in a fire-adapted ecosystem
9,000 year record of fire
• 50 years of fire suppression
• Current 50 year fuel build up could lead to fires of devastating intensity
Restoration of Fire as a Natural Process
1881 Hudson River School Painting
(Dellenbaugh) Fire in the Shawangunks
Using controlled burns to restore forest health and reduce wildfire risk
Project Goals
• Connect kids with nature in their community
• Provide “hands-on” about basic ecology
• Build support for management and protection of a globally rare ecosystem in the Shawangunks
•Connect kids with place and people
Sam’s Point Conservation Center
Sam’s Point Habitats Mural
Five Natural Community Types
90 Species of Plants and Animals
Biodiversity
Habitats
Natural Communities
Prey
Predator
Natural Resources Forests
Web of Life
Bedrock
Wetlands
Wildlife
Temperature
Ecosystems
SOIL
WATERPLANTS
Into the woods – to observe, measure, calculate and record…….
Oak Forest
Slab Rock
Pitch Pine Barrens
Comparing 3 Habitats at Sam’s Point
Data/Observation Oak Forest Ridge-top Slab rock
Pine Barrens
1. Physical SettingOrientationSlopeSunny/shadedWater
South facingModerateShaded
Yes
West facingFlat
SunnyYes (after rainfall)/no
Northwest facingModerateShaded
No
2. WeatherAir temperature °CWind speed (mph)
53°F/13°2 mph
42°F / 5°C9 mph
42°F / 5°C7 mph
3. SoilTemperature °CPHSoil core% rock visible
54°F / 14°C6moist, dark, rich25%
44° / 7°66sandy, tan, moist
44° / 7°C6
dry, sandy, thin topsoil
0
4. Dominant treePopulation countCircumferenceDeciduous/coniferousHeight: Short, medium, tall% Sky visible thru canopy
Oak/maple11
84 cmDeciduous
tall15%
Pitch pine321 cmConiferousshort100%
Pitch pine923 cmConiferousmedium25%
5. Other plants Mountain Laurel Grass,Low bush blueberry
Huckleberry
1. Which habitat was the windiest? Why?
2. Where did we find the deepest, richest soil? Why does this habitat have better soil?
3. Which trees have adapted to the most severe climate conditions?
4. What factors contribute to severe climate?
Comparing Different Habitats at Sam’s Point Preserve
Getting Thoughts Down…..
What do You Think?
Your school is given 60 acres for an “outdoor classroom’ to teach about “biodiversity”.
You have a limited budget for making trails.
The biology teacher suggests a trail in the forest, the PE teacher wants the field to be accessible for “New Games”.
Where would you put the trail and why?
(Hint: Mix it up and make sure to include edges)
Connecting People and Place
The Huckleberry Pickers StoryDirections: Imagine that you and your family spend summers at Sam’s Point picking huckleberries. Use the photos to help you develop answers to the following questions. Support your answer with evidence from the photo.
When was this photo taken?
Why were you picking berries?
What did your family like about Sam’s Point?
What did they dislike?
Where were the berries sold? To whom?
Describe the shack you lived in.
How did you spend your evenings?
Where were your favorite picking locations?
Do you recall the huckleberry bushes being intentionally set on fire? How and when were the fires set?What did your family do the rest of the year when berries were not in season?Turn the paper over and write a group question that you want to ask the berry pickers.
Sam’s Point Berrypickers Tell Their Stories at
Ellenville Middle School
Artifacts of a Past Lifeway
At Sam’s Point Preserve
Special Thanks to: Kelly Brumblelow, Science TeacherSue Brosnahan, Science TeacherAlison Chapin, Middle School CounselorSam’s Point VolunteersThe Ellenville Middle School
Questions?
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