Certified Backyard Habitat:
An Intergenerational Project
Submitted by:
Webb M. Smathers, Jr. Ph.D.
Diane G. Smathers, Ed.D.
Description:
This is a joint project between the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences and the Emeritus College. In an attempt to educate students, faculty, staff and visitors about the benefits of creating natural landscapes and creating a wildlife habitat on campus, this project will utilize the Backyard Habitat model of the National Wildlife Federation. (Criteria for a Backyard Habitat can be found at http://www.scwf.org/). To date, there are over 2000 certified habitats in South Carolina but none on Clemson's main campus.
This project purposes to partner students in CAFLS with mentors from the Emeritus College for the purpose of planning, designing, constructing, evaluating and researching a Backyard Habitat on campus. The Habitat will be planned and designed during fall semester 2006, constructed during spring 2007 and then evaluated and research conducted during academic year 2007-2008. Findings will be shared through the Undergraduate Research Poster session, by student presentation to the South Carolina Wildlife Federation Board, in the South Carolina Wildlife Federation newsletter (The Outdoors) and by the PI's at the SERA-IGA 30 (Southern Region Natural Resource Economists) meeting.
Recruitment:
The 15 students enrolled in APEC 475 (Economics of Wildlife Management and Policy) spring 2006 will be contacted during the following summer to ascertain their continued interest in habitat management. It is expected that several of these students will form the core of the project. Additionally, members of student organizations in CAFLS (Ag Econ Club, The Wildlife Society and Ducks Unlimited), of which Dr. Webb Smathers is Advisor or sponsor, will participate as a public service of their organization. Since these clubs attract students of all classes, the requisite number of underclassmen will be met. The project will be limited to 10 students. If necessary to meet requirements, additional students can be recruited through APEC 257 (Natural Resources, Environment and Economics).
Emeriti faculty will be recruited through the Emeritus College newsletter. A committee of interested emeriti will be formed to serve as mentors and to assist in the planning, designing and constructing of the habitat. Several emeriti will also assist with evaluation and research methodology. It is expected that there will be a 2:1 ratio of students to emeriti.
Course Credit:
Participation in the project will be a requirement of students in APEC 475 during spring 2007 and 20008. Additionally, students who already have credit for APEC 475 and/or desire another avenue of credit will be given the option of APEC 490 (Selected Topics). All credit for participation will be through contract grading.
Student Activities:
Students will attend three, 1 hour presentations prior to beginning the project where they will: meet their emeriti mentor; learn the importance of wildlife habitat/wildlife viewing for high human density areas; become familiar with the criteria for a backyard habitat; and be introduced to the economic as well as biological and environmental aspects of a habitat. Students will also conduct a review of literature which will include looking at other habitats appropriate to small land tracks.
In concert with their mentor, students will then develop a timeline for the project to include finalizing a specific location and administering a soil test. The students will draft several possible habitat designs using CAD systems if possible. Consideration will be given to appropriate habitats for specific birds, insects, bees, flowers and butterflies as well as viewing potential by the Clemson campus community. Students will develop a budget, acquire materials and work along side their emeriti mentor to construct a backyard habitat on campus.
During academic year 2007-2008, students will maintain and evaluate the habitat while conducting basic research. They will use still photography as well as videography to determine species usage, including the breeding cycle and human viewing. They will also keep a written journal of plant life. Lastly, the students will serve as guides for children and/or senior groups who might visit the site and evaluate their response to the habitat.
Expected Outcomes:
Students will:
- Develop intergenerational relationships and learn the importance of mentoring
- Develop further appreciation for the biological, social, economic and environmental needs of a wildlife habitat
- Garner an appreciation for habitat viewing
- Utilize computer design skills and learn the basics of constructing with outdoor materials
- Utilize appropriate statistical measurements for data analysis (species count, seasonality, etc.)
- Contribute to research and community service through sharing of findings
- Contribute to their electronic portfolios through video, oral presentation, news articles and poster presentation