ESSEA Cycle A : “Dust Bowl” EDTC 6341 – Team 12 Olivet D. Castillo Eric Enriquez Esther Sauceda Salina Villaneda

Background Information (Based on articles provided) -There are concerns with possibility of new “Dust Bowl” occuring in the future. -In 1862 Congress passed Homestead Act, which allowed “landless citizens” to receive land. -”Free land was an area of "grassland with few trees, minimal rainfall, and scarce other vegetation“ -Farming increased: hundreds of acres of land were plowed. -Limited water source - Ogalalla Aquifer

Background Information Continued… 's drought spread across the region "Dust Bowl“ -Severe weather conditions led to "Black Blizzards, Black Rollers," and "Black Sunday". -NASA climate scientists suggest, "climate variability may have played a big role in what took place in the Plains.

Team 12 Questions Q. How is a prosperous region converted into a “dry-dust land?” Q. How's does farming practices affect soil composition? Q. Do ocean temperatures affect land production? Q. How can the Ogallala Aquifer affect or help avoid dust storms?

Team 12 Questions Continued… Q. How does the farming/farming methods affect the natural land structure? Q. Can NASA’s scientists make an accurate prediction as to when a drought/dust Storm occur?

Our Plan… Research through out the Web. Focus on the issue. Creating recommendations to help solve problem statement.

Our Connections We came to a conclusion based on research and personal experience. As a team, we concluded that the problem did occur in the way farmer’s were farming on the land. How farming destroys the land’s natural structure? Our questions and problem statement will be answered based on two things. – Farming Recommendations – Implementation of Conservation Projects

Problem Statement What approaches and measures can be taken in order to make sure history does not repeat itself with the issue of severe dust storms?

References: Beilue, Jon. Amarillo Globe News. “Methods prevent another Dust Bowl Dry conditions, poor practices met in the '30s.” Southwest Florida Water Management. Water Conservation tm