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Learning at Pickle Ponds: What does R2R2R look like in a place
Citation:
Angradi, T., S. Green, T. Hollenhorst, J. Josephs, J. Launspach, K. Margeson, S. Paczuski, M. Wick, K. Williams, AND J. Witts. Learning at Pickle Ponds: What does R2R2R look like in a place. St. Louis River Virtual Summit, Duluth, MN, March 01 - 03, 2021. https://doi.org/10.23645/epacomptox.14066462
Impact/Purpose:
The impact of this research is to demonstrate how a multiple lines of evidence approach can be used to identify and characterize how changes in the environment through remediation and restoration are related to community revitalization. These changes will be identified by measuring changes in recreational use as an indicator in a place (Pickle Pond in Superior, WI).
Description:
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has catalyzed environmental change throughout the Great Lakes Region. To better understand the impact of these changes, USEPA’s Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED) has been studying the relationships between remediation, restoration, and revitalization in Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC). AOCs are the geographic areas where one or more of the beneficial uses fail to meet water quality standards outlined in agreement, and where substantial clean-up and revitalization are occurring. While there have been efforts to define community revitalization and potential metrics to measure successes, there has been less attention paid to developing a comprehensive mixed-methods strategy to link changes in AOC conditions to changes in human site use and perceptions of well-being. To fill this gap, GLTED will be conducting research at a Pickle Ponds in Superior, WI, where sediment remediation and habitat restoration is planned, to measure changes in sediment and habitat biota, as well as human use and perceived value of project area amenities. This poster will outline the team’s research methodology and progress on understanding the changes in human use and perception using a multiple lines of evidence approach. We will be measuring changes in use as an indicator of well-being through trail cameras, webcams, and direct observation of activity. Moreover, we will be conducting short surveys, hosting crowdsourcing stations, and monitoring aesthetics. Aesthetics, or documenting the visual changes in the environment, is one of the indicators of environmental conditions the team will use to link environmental changes to the changes in human use and perceived well-being.
