WALKING TO WORK
Walking to work has helped me in so many ways to create the projects I do.
Last winter I began walking to work in Julian from my home in Wynola. So many things I noticed along the way!
The first, was that we had so many Merriam's chipmunks in our midst. How I wanted to tell the late Clint Powell….He would have been happy to note that they have come back in a significant way. Secondly, I noticed the sad lack of Gray Squirrels. Apparently they are once again besieged by a virus. On the other hand, we do have an increasing abundance of Ground Squirrels and Woodrats!
This summer and fall I have begun to see just how many of our oaks have been decimated by the bark beetles; both the Gold-spotted Oak Boring Beetle, and the Western Oak Bark Beetle that effects the Black Oaks. Despairing of this fact, I began to develop a plan.
After speaking with Nicio Aguilera from the Resource Conservation District, I decided that his idea to plant more oaks for future generations was the best plan of all.
As I walked I wrote lesson plans in my head; envisioning the local students in Julian taking responsibility for their habitat’s future. “The Oak Seedling Project” was born.
I am now teaching a series of classes to middle school students whereby they become aware of the Oak Woodland Community in which they live.
As I walked past the Julian Cemetery I noticed the abundance of acorns on the ground and thought how we could harvest them by walking from the school to collect them with the 6th graders. We harvested over 300 viable acorns in October.
We also planted around 100 acorns in pots at the Grand-Gateway property with the 7th grade, and there are 30 seedlings being taken care of at the school garden.
Noticing the turning of the leaves I designed an art project for higher grades to draw them, thereby learning the plant parts, and at the same time, falling in love with their beauty. We have created botanical drawings at the middle school and charcoal drawings in nature with the high school art class.
Thinking about Native American students, I decided to teach a series of activities for the middle school students that focused on survival skills of early peoples. We have made native clay pots and rattles; are presently learning tracking skills; and will be building a structure in the spring.
The latest inspiration is to create a leadership program for our high school students. I envision high school docents mentoring the younger grades. I look forward to more inspiring walks in our beautiful backcountry this winter. The added bonus are the beauty and the exercise!
