Hello again, this is Elysa. I just completed my second week. 

It has been two weeks since I started working at Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries. This week was fully stocked with activities. First, I had the chance to experience FACT’s board meeting in person. During the board meeting, they talked about the nonprofit’s financials, new events, and any developments happening around Alum Creek. Second, I am currently working on a science experiment testing the different soil types and watering methods. There are about 10 different tree species and 4 different types of soil. Each tree has three duplicates of the same soil type.  I spent time collecting my initial data and labeling the different plant types. I think I am hypothesizing that there won’t be much of a difference in the soil types. Third, I got the chance to interview one of the longest-working FACT members, and we got to talk about different things relating to the environmental impact of design choices. We also took a tour to places where FACT has done invasive species removal. 

Some things that I learnt this week that I thought were interesting:

Most parking lot designs are not environmentally friendly.

The water table is replenished by rainfall, which comes from impervious surfaces. With current development, impervious surfaces are disappearing, as farmland and large undeveloped lands are being developed. 

Setbacks – 50 ft set by municipalities to protect land and parks, such as Alum Creek, from erosion. 

Tree coverage areas are considered safe zones for animals and are all impervious surfaces, which allows water to percolate down to the water table. More trees equal fewer heat islands. 

Design can be environmentally friendly, but municipalities and private corporations do not want to pay the cost of constant maintenance and upkeep. 

Bye, see you next week