Blandy Experimental Farm Educational Center Environmental Impact Statement By: James Wood Middle School Student

Project Background We are trying to decide which site would be best for the new educational building. We went to Blandy Experimental Farm twice. Once in the fall and once in the spring. In the fall we saw the Old Green House site with all the trees near it and the parking lot event center with a large open area in the middle. We also went to the Chimney site, where Joseph Tuley’s house once stood. But I decided not to build it there because it’s far off in the middle of nowhere. In the spring we went to Lake Georgette, Native Plant Meadow above Rattlesnake Spring, and the Slave Quarters. From these sites we will find the top two which could be where the new building will be built with the less environmental destruction.

I think the best area to build the new educational center is the event parking lot. It has a lack of historical significance unless you count a field where slaves worked. It’s right there in the entrance of Blandy Experimental Farm, so everyone will see it. And it wouldn’t block any view of the scenery. It wouldn’t destroy as much environment. But you would have to be careful since the land is sorta flat, it could flood. Also you need to flatten the land because the is a deep part in the middle. This is the best choice because of its flexibilities. It’s next to a road, it has access to electricity and water. Most schools will be attracted by the building which will be able to work like a classroom. Learning will be more exciting since you don’t have to be outside when it’s too hot or too cold and your whole class will be in the same room. The building will be big and there is plenty of room. When building the building it wouldn’t close down other sites because of it’s location. That’s why I think it should be built here. Event Parking Lot area

Environmental Literacy Totals by color Totals Percentage Pollution Intolerant 73 7.19% Somewhat Intolerant 456 44.88% Somewhat Tolerant 231 22.74% Pollution Tolerant 256 25.20% 1016 100.00% The graph and chart above shows the macroinvertebrates of the event parking area. As you see it is good and healthy. The majority of the macroinvertebrates are somewhat intolerant which is good because they are somewhat not tolerant to pollution. And since there are many that means the water is clean.

Historical Significance I chose the event parking lot because of its lack of historical significance. We know that Joseph Tuley had slaves and that the parking lot could have been a field but that’s not enough to make it on the list of historical places at Blandy like the Slave Quarters. There are no artifacts found in the event parking lot area. Therefore there is a major lack of historical significance.

Old Greenhouse I chose the Old Greenhouse from 1940’s as a second choice because of where it is located. The location is ok if only there weren’t trees and habitats in the trees. I refer it as the Old Greenhouse because they are already tearing it down because it’s old and unstable. The background is the picnic area just below the hill where the Old Greenhouse is. There would be a lot of runoff because of it being on a hill. The trees surrounding the Old Greenhouse are not a few but many. So if you were to build the building here: one you would kill many trees and two it would block some scenery.

Environmental Literacy Lake Georgette is one of the ponds at Blandy. The pond’s water resource is the rain which means if it doesn’t rain the pond doesn’t get filled. The water is healthy for the most part. The graph on the next slide shows the turbidity, temperature, pH, Nitrates, Phosphates, and Dissolved Oxygen results and if they’re healthy.

Environmental Literacy ( continuation ) Test Healthy Range Image of Healthy Range My Results Healthy? (Yes or No) Turbidity ≥ 2 NTU 16.66666……. No Temperature 0ºC- 32ºC Yes pH 6.5-9.0 8.0 Nitrates ≥ 2 ppm 0.833 Phosphates 0 ppm Any phosphates in the water is considered polluted. Dissolved Oxygen ≥ 5 mg/L 9.87

Historical Significance I did not choose The Slave Quarters for the site(s) because of its historical significance. It has been recognized as a Virginia HIstoric Landmark. There are records that prove that there were slaves living and working here, as well as many artifacts found here. That’s why it’s not in my top two.

Conclusion We looked at the sites and I decided that the Event Parking Lot Area would be the best location for the new educational building at Blandy Experimental Farm. The location of this area fits all their needs: water, electricity, and easy road access. The Old Greenhouse site would be fine as a second choice, because think of how many trees you would kill to build a building that will cover up the scenery. Nothing is disturbed in the event parking lot area. Therefore I can say confidently, with evidence to support, that the event parking lot area is the best site to build the new educational building.