Hand’s WOODS Service Learning Millersville University Nick Dower, Phelan Piehota, Gary Weiberg, Rachel Wengert Gary Weiberg, Rachel Wengert

Goal Primary focus of the Hand’s WOODS Foundation support both financially and educationally support both financially and educationally facilitating and initiating relationships with volunteers who teach through using some aspect of the woods facilitating and initiating relationships with volunteers who teach through using some aspect of the woods assists teachers in incorporating the woodlot into their curriculum assists teachers in incorporating the woodlot into their curriculum Most of the foundation will consist of students and other members of the local community (lawyers, teachers, administrators, etc.) Most of the foundation will consist of students and other members of the local community (lawyers, teachers, administrators, etc.)

Mission Statement The mission statement of the Hand’s WOODS Foundation is that from K-5 to college the project will offer the opportunity for students to learn about all components of environmental awareness and action.

Board Structure Proposal Executive Director- Andrew Duncan Executive Director- Andrew Duncan Public Relations Liason- Larry Mays, Ana Pabon, and Diane Patton Public Relations Liason- Larry Mays, Ana Pabon, and Diane Patton Safety and Security Liason - Officer Diaz and Mike Saladik Safety and Security Liason - Officer Diaz and Mike Saladik Funding Director - Schirlyn Kamara Funding Director - Schirlyn Kamara Education Director - Schirlyn Kamara Education Director - Schirlyn Kamara Labor Planning Director - Carl Martin, Chris Hardy and Mary Gattis-Schell Labor Planning Director - Carl Martin, Chris Hardy and Mary Gattis-Schell Program Coordinator - Paid position with assistance from Mary Gattis-Schell Program Coordinator - Paid position with assistance from Mary Gattis-Schell Secretary Secretary

Background Edward Hand Middle School Opened in East Junior High School Opened in East Junior High School 1995-renamed Edward Hand Middle School (6, 7, 8) 1995-renamed Edward Hand Middle School (6, 7, 8) General Edward Hand ( ) General Edward Hand ( ) -Born in Ireland- originally studied medicine -18 th Royal Irish Regiment Moved to America -Settled in Lancaster practicing medicine -Personal physician to George Washington (Revolutionary war) -A figurehead locally and nationally with political and civil affairs George Washington Elementary Built in 1932 Built in 1932 ~625 students- grades K-5 ~625 students- grades K-5 Diverse backgrounds Diverse backgrounds Full-day kindergarten Full-day kindergarten Use of Boys and Girls education model which teaches social skills Use of Boys and Girls education model which teaches social skills After school programs After school programs - L.I.F.E. (Learning Is For Everyone)

Woodlot History Conestoga Indian Tribe Inhabited the land before white settlement in Lancaster (1718) Inhabited the land before white settlement in Lancaster (1718) Killed on December 27, 1763 right in the center of Lancaster City Killed on December 27, 1763 right in the center of Lancaster City Current Woodlot Trolley tracks leading to vacation area in Sunny Side Trolley tracks leading to vacation area in Sunny Side Has had numerous property owners Has had numerous property owners False myth- Barney Google Town False myth- Barney Google Town Shantytown Shantytown Glue factories (1884) Glue factories (1884) Phosphate works Phosphate works

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1875

Utilizing the WOODS Increase/reinforce Biological concepts by seeing actual processes in actionIncrease/reinforce Biological concepts by seeing actual processes in action Enhances the classroom environment by involving the studentsEnhances the classroom environment by involving the students Increase the students’ feelings of involvement in their surrounding community, as well as school prideIncrease the students’ feelings of involvement in their surrounding community, as well as school pride A place they can call their ownA place they can call their own Increase awareness of their environmental footprints at an early ageIncrease awareness of their environmental footprints at an early age

Education Introduction material for outdoor integrative activities Introduction material for outdoor integrative activities Sustainability and Gardening Sustainability and Gardening -Experiments with plants renewable/non- renewable energy 1. “Children Gardening: First Steps Toward a Sustainable Future” 2. “Long Term Plant Biodiversity Study” 3. “Primary Osmosis: Plants, Growth, and Needing Some Inspiration”

Education… Earth, Soil, and Habitats Lab Experiments: Earth Grade 1 science packet: Describe the features of the earth’s surface, describe basic rocks and soil, and discuss the characteristics and uses of air. Grade 2: Appreciate the intricacy of the environment and recognize interactions in the environment. Grade 3: Describe the structure of the Earth and describe some characteristics of the crust. Grade 4: Provide evidence of the Earth’s history, describe how fossils are formed, and recognize how inferences are made.

Education… Plant Dynamics Experiments with Plants:  Packet 1- Grade 1: Science Plants  Packet 2- Grade 2: Science Plants  Packet 3- Grade 5: Science Plant Structure and Function  Packet 4- Middle School Science Fair Projects, by Anne Marie Helmenstine Ph. D.  Packet 5- Writing Prompt Experiment with Plants

Education… Watershed Activities 1. “My Watershed” - An early elementary curriculum exploring local hydrology. 2. “Shedding Light on Watersheds” - More advanced content is covered, including basic terms and experiments. 3. “What is a Watershed?”- A simple runoff demonstration in a watershed.

Education… Physical Education  “Alternative Environment Activities” (packet)  “Evaluation of a Ropes Course Experience for At-Risk Secondary School Students” By: Laura Conley, Paul Calderella, and Ellie Young

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Plant Maintenance Ivy and Clamatis ground cover needs to be removed Open canopy in this area provides good sunlight for newly planted species Possible area to engage in forest restoration and plant native species Possible area for experiments in planting and/or farming Woodlot is full of the potentially invasive species: Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera Maackii) This species should be removed and replaced with: Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). Spicebush is a non-invasive species and will attract birds to the woodlot

Security Lot aspects: surrounding community, geological formations, diverse plant life Lot aspects: surrounding community, geological formations, diverse plant life Records obtained of significant events in surrounding area Records obtained of significant events in surrounding area Security measures should be implemented based on greatest security risk Security measures should be implemented based on greatest security risk Police ‘recent incident reports’-9/9/07 to 10/22/07 Police ‘recent incident reports’-9/9/07 to 10/22/07 Surrounding area of Hand Middle School- 200 Block of every street towards the school grounds Surrounding area of Hand Middle School- 200 Block of every street towards the school grounds

Security… Prominent Features Constant presence of school and/or law enforcement personnelConstant presence of school and/or law enforcement personnel -365 days a year -summer/winter camps through the school -scout/outdoor organizations -random patrols by community members, police officers, or teachers Development and maintenance of established pathsDevelopment and maintenance of established paths Establishing entrances and exits to the wooded lotEstablishing entrances and exits to the wooded lot -natural obstacles (boulders, logs, etc.) -allow pedestrian movement but deny the entrance of all- terrain vehicles

Financial Support Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation – Grants available up to $1500 for environmental education In contact with Dan Ardia (President) who is interested in the Hands’ WOODS project and would like us to submit an application asap. Stauffers of Kissel Hill – give VERY small monetary donations, may be able to get native plant species donated (Contacted through , have not received a response) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Grants available Applications must be submitted by 12/20 SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Awards – awards $10,000 to k-12 or non-profit group for helping the environment. (Deadline has passed for 2008, will have to wait for 2009). PA Department of environmental education – Provides grants for projects like Hands WOODS

Works Cited Edward Hand Middle School George Washington Elementary School Lancaster School District Lancaster Police Department (717)

"Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future" -- John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day