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MULTI-FACETED SUSTAINABILITY ON ITHACA COLLEGE NATURAL LANDS
Description:
This student-generated proposal presents a multi-faceted program for sustainable stewardship of the natural areas south of the built campus of Ithaca College. Our challenge is to use student research and class projects to enhance biodiversity, support education and research, and use renewable resources on the 365 acres of South Hill and to create education modules related to these activities. Student sponsors are combining their research projects to form this EPA proposal and lay the foundation for a campus stewardship plan for natural areas. Students will develop questionnaires to help determine the optimal use of seven ecological communities in 51 distinct areas (see Fig 1 of Research Plan) on South Hill. The questions will determine each area?s value for research and education, preservation of rare plants and ecosystems, recreation and sustainable hardwood production and siting of wind power. Biodiversity will be enhanced by several means. New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (see Partnerships) will fund experimental management testing if removal of invasive, non-native shrubs increases breeding bird density on one mile of rights-of-way on South Hill. Deer exclosures will be established to promote forest regeneration, particularly for rare ecosystems. Ground fires will be used to revitalize the rare, fire-adapted communities. Use of sustainable resources will be assessed by an analysis of wind power siting on South Hill, supported by Renovus Energy Inc. (see Partnerships), and by developing sustainable hardwood production. The influence of these activities on biodiversity will be assessed by GIS mapping of species distribution along transect lines before and after manipulations.
Our proposal will develop hardcopy, radio, and web-based educational units about the biological features of the natural and built campus. Interactive web-based modules will use GIS mapping and generic web programming that can serve as a template for other campuses. Students with interest in environmental issues and other students in TV-R communications will collaborate to design an environmental feature on the campus radio station with links to other collegiate institutions. Our proposal will enhance the biodiversity of our planet, support prosperity through the use of sustainable resources with minimal pollution costs, and serve the public by enhancing recreational use and appreciation of our natural environment.