1. IMAGINE THERE ARE NO TREES IN THE ADIRONDACK FOREST The Adirondack forest is disappearing. The main reasons are acid rain and some invasive insects. We made this project to tell people that trees in the Adirondack are disappearing and to come up with ways to help. We hope that people like you can help too.

2. Adirondack Forest The Adirondack forest is the 2nd largest park in the United States. The Adirondack forest is 6,000,000 acres. Some trees living in the Adirondack forest are the sugar maple, blossom fir, birch, red spruce, oaks and other hardwoods.

3. Why are the trees important The trees in the Adirondacks provide air to breathe. The forest provides wildlife homes, helps water quality, and provides fun for families. Some of the animals that call the Adirondack home are osprey, frogs, Black bears, Peregrine Falcon, American Marten, Canada Lynx, Chestnut-Sided Warbler, and Black-Capped Chickadee.

4. Acid rain Acid rain is one of the reasons that the trees are getting destroyed. Acid rain is made when power plants burn coal. Then the power plants release sulfur and nitrous oxide in the air. This goes in the clouds and makes acid rain.

5. THE PLAN PLAN We interviewed Mr. Dirk Bryant – Director of Conservation Programs for The Nature Conservancy – about how we could help. He suggested that we design a comic strip about not bringing in fire wood from another area. The reason for not transporting firewood is that it may contain invasive insects, such as the emerald ash borer. Mr. Bryant said he would try to get our comic published in The Nature Conservancy magazine.

6. OBSERVATIONS We decided to include self-reflection as our observation. This DuPont Challenge has changed me by, seeing that even if forests are smelly and have scary or gross bugs animals live there and this forest is their home. Student A I now know that the trees in the Adirondack are endangered and I want to save them. Student B

7. OBSERVATIONS This project has changed me by seeing that the Adirondacks Forest is in trouble. This is why I want to help the Adirondacks. Student C This project has shown me that the Adirondacks need help. Student D

8. Conclusion The forest is in danger. We all need to help the situation. Our solution is to educate and help the organizations committed to helping the Adirondack forest and environment, such as the Adirondack Council and The Nature Conservancy.

9. The Adirondack Council and the Nature Conservancy The Adirondack Council is the largest citizen environmental group in NY. They work daily to preserve the forest in the park, Albany and Washington. The Nature Conservancy is another organization that helps educate people about protecting the forest.

10. References www.dec.ny.gov/docs/willdlife-pdf/nathist.pdf www.greenfacts.org/en/ecosystems/millennium.- assessment/211-ecosystems-change.html www.usclimatenetwork.org/resource-databaswww.usclimatenetwork.org/resource-database/new-york- factsheet-5.pdfFAUNA- www.speculatorliving.com/2013/03.07/adironFAUNA- www.speculatorliving.com/2013/03.07/adiron dack-fauna-and-hibernating-who-will-wake-up-soon/ Marten-fat-tail-squirrel predator www.factzoo.com/mammals/martenm-squirre/-predator.html www.factzoo.com/mammals/martenm-squirre/-predator.html Mr.Dirk Bryant Director of Conservation Programs for the Nature Conservancy