Student Action to Increase Biodiversity - SSL at OEEP and at School

Enduring Understanding: Natural resources need protection and conservation in a given environment. Biodiversity is a natural resource. Essential Question: How can people help maintain and increase biodiversity in their local environment? 5 E Lessons

Lesson Options: All-Season Stewardship: Mulching Pulling Invasive Species Habitat Creation Seasonal Stewardship: Seed Collection Planting perennials or bulbs 5 E Lessons

Mulching Pulling Invasive Species Habitat Creation Seed Collection Planting perennials or bulbs What is the connection between these stewardship actions and protecting biodiversity? They all help local species survive! Local plants and animals need habitat, food, and water!

First Mini Lesson: Poison Ivy – The Plant! What does it look like? Spring and Fall? Winter? Can I still get it in the winter? How can I protect myself?

Poison Ivy

Choose Your Own Adventure: Three options: 1.Mulching Does More Than Look Pretty! Help the Environment (Slides 8-13) 2.Say Goodbye to Nonnative Invasive Plants (Slides ) 3.Brush Piles for Life (Slide 32)

Mulching Helps the Environment? Sure, it looks good, but how is mulching good for the environment?

Mulching Helps the Environment! Weed Control Moisture Retention Erosion Prevention Encouragement for Earthworms to Move In Maintenance of Soil Nutrients

How to Mulch Effectively! Spread the mulch about 3-4 inches thick. The more mulch, the better! Mulch one smaller area completely with no holes, bare spots, or gaps, before moving on to another area.

How to Mulch Effectively! If mulching in a garden, weed and rake the area first. If mulching around trees, be sure to create a donut shape around the tree – not a volcano – and don’t go too high up the tree.

What Not to Do When You Mulch Can you guess why this is bad for trees?

SSL Reflection Discourse: Now that we have completed our work for today, talk with an elbow partner about: What you learned about mulching that you did not know before How this SSL work helped the environment(i.e. what need did your service address) Who or what benefitted from your service

Transition slide

Non-Native Invasive Plant Removal

Nonnative Invasive Plant Removal: Background What is a nonnative invasive plant? Nonnative: Exists in an environment where the species did not evolve. Invasive: Displays rapid growth and spreads quickly over large areas.

Nonnative Invasive Plant Removal: Background Why are nonnative plants here? Brought in by mistake! In soil, ship ballast, or crop seed Brought in on purpose! Intentionally introduced because they provided: o Ornamental landscape material o Quick-growing and pest-free erosion control o Visual screening and windbreaks o Edible food!

Why are Nonnative Plants a Problem? Nonnative Plants VS Native Plants o Native animals do not eat them, and native diseases don’t kill them o Outcompete native plants for basic necessities for survival o Are aggressive (grow fast) and persistent o Are food sources for native wildlife o Are host plants for native butterflies o Play a vital role in the local ecosystem VS

Wine Berry o Native to Japan, Korea, and China o Introduced in 1890 to combine with raspberry and blackberry species o Has 3 heart-shaped leaves that are white underneath o Has deep red hairy stalks

Stilt Grass o Native to Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia and India. o Bright green grass that has silver hairs down the center of its short bamboo-like blade. o Invades and alters disturbed soils in sun or shade. o In fall, it elongates quickly, then produces seed banks which stay viable in the soil for years.

Oriental Bittersweet o A deciduous, climbing, woody vine that can grow to lengths of 60 ft. (18.3 m). o Prolific vine growth allows it to encircle trees and girdle them. o !!!

Oriental Bittersweet Vines can completely cover other vegetation and shade, out- compete and kill even large trees. Birds eat the berries and spread the seeds, so it disperses quickly. Remove by cutting the vine and pulling up the roots. DO NOT PULL THE VINE DOWN!!!

Garlic Mustard o Native to Europe o Introduced in 1860 by humans for food and medicinal purposes o Leaves are triangular to heart- shaped, and give off an odor of garlic when crushed o Small white flowers each have four petals in the shape of a cross

Garlic Mustard Look Alikes! Beware! Pull Only the Bad Guy!

GARLIC MUSTARD SWEET CICELY – DON’T PULL!

GARLIC MUSTARD EARLY SAXIFRAGE DON’T PULL!

GARLIC MUSTARD TOOTHWORT DON’T PULL!

Action Plan Pull EVERY invasive plant in your group's area – Leaving one plant is like sowing a hundred seeds. Get the roots out! Grab the plant low on the stem and wiggle to loosen the roots.

Action Plan Pile nonnative invasive plants in one location Some of these brush piles will provide shelter for small mammals and ground- dwelling birds Hint: When a wine berry branch droops over and hits the ground, it often re-roots – watch for multiple root systems!

SSL Reflection Discourse: Now that we have completed our work for today, talk with an elbow partner about: What you learned about removing nonnative invasive plants that you did not know before How this SSL work helped the environment(i.e. what need did your service address) Who or what benefitted from your service

Transition

Brush Piles for Life Student viewing: Click on the link below to find out more about creating habitats in the woods. want-to- live/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

SSL Reflection Discourse: Now that we have completed our work for today, talk with an elbow partner about: What you learned about creating animal habitat that you did not know before How this SSL work helped the environment(i.e. what need did your service address) Who or what benefitted from your service