Synthesis 2

In order to motivate people to change their behavior, they must first have a sense of community. They must then gain awareness of the problem and appraise the situation. Only then will they be motivated to activism.
This is the model of behavior is promoted by Dr. Forsythe. Throughout this course I have noticed it to be true in my own behavior and the behavior of others. In class, we talked about a survey that demonstrates this quite effectively. It showed that individuals who knew that they lived in the Upham brook watershed and knew that it was polluted were more likely to be willing to help in watershed cleanup activities. Furthermore, while many of them said that they thought streams were important to the environment, few seemed aware of the connection between the health of the watershed and the health of streams.
Dr. Forsythe’s model has been true in my own thinking throughout the course of this class. Although I was aware of watersheds I had not appraised their importance or thought much about my place. This change has motivated many of us to action, for example I never would have chosen to spend my volunteer hours cleaning up on a small island in the middle of the James River. I would not have known that such a place existed. Furthermore I would not have understood the extent to which the trash on the island affects the health of the entire river downstream.
The clean up made me aware of a whole new set of issues. I had not thought about the poverty or homelessness problems in Richmond and had never thought about how difficult a problem it was to solve. I talked about this in my own blog. In Jenni’s blog, she says “When someone new moves in, Ralph White said, he approaches them and explains how the volunteer cleanups work and asks them to do their part–inevitably, this gesture of respect forges a friendly relationship between the homeless community and the park system.” This is evidence of a case in which with a sense of community and recognition of the problem it is possible to change people’s behavior.
This idea of spreading awareness and appraisal was also important to my other volunteer work. When Anne and I volunteered for the Sierra Club at the Environmental Film Festival at the Byrd, I realized that spreading such awareness was what the festival was all about. By putting these films in such an easily accessible form we were enabling people to have important discussions as they walked through the lobby. This experience also made me aware of how important it is to be conscientious in your appraisal of a situation. The film The Atomic States of America explained both sides of the problem. It discussed the benefits of clean nuclear power but condemned the nuclear power plants that leeched toxic chemicals into the surrounding environment. This reminded me that there are many sides to any story. Through trying to make clean nuclear power affordable, the reactors are under regulated and sometimes in bad locations. This is the case with one reactor on the unstable fall line outside New York City. One thing I did not like about this genre of film is the manipulative emotional appeals. In particular, this documentary showcased a dad whose daughter got cancer from the chemicals leeched by a power plant. It followed his fight for justice against the plant in order to motivate the viewer. Although this is an effective persuasive technique I feel the extended focus on this segment of the documentary distracts from the real issues involved in the regulation of nuclear power plants. It is important to appraise a situation for yourself, to do independent research before acting on an issue.
We got an opportunity to do such research when working on our group project. As a non-bike rider I was initially not aware of the issues associated with biking on our campus. Now we are in the process of appraising the issues. At first it seems simple. Bikes: good. Cars and fossil fuels: bad. However, the actual implementation of a plan to improve the bike program is difficult. First we ran into the obstacles of our limitations as students. When I interviewed Margaret Moore who has worked on the problem of bikes on campus last year, she reconfirmed what we had though about the difficulties in working with anyone form the City of Richmond, telling stories of cancelled meetings. What it comes down to is that the government already employs city planners to work on these exact problems. She encouraged us to focus our efforts to what we can do on campus.
On campus we found that there is no cut and dry answer either. At first it seemed simple to try to improve the green bike program. We are looking into making a program like this one, which uses high quality bikes and introduces an aspect of accountability, however the cost of implementing such a program may be prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, insurance costs would prohibit any bike rental program that would allow students to take bikes off campus. Because of these shortcomings, we wonder if our initial inclination toward improving the green bikes program needs revision. Perhaps the schools money would be more effectively spent on an annual used bike sale like at some other schools. This could provide students with affordable bikes that they can take off campus which will be of higher quality than the green bikes. I feel that this process of thinking critically about a real world problem and appraising my personal power to improve the situation is important to activism.
In his synthesis blog, Kenta says “I’ve realized that environmentalism isn’t something one can really give up once they’ve become privy to it. I’ve realized that environmentalism is largely a state of mind, a perspective and a lifestyle.” This is something that I think that we can all say that we have taken away from our experience in Earth lodge. Next year, I will be living in an apartment and will miss living in this community. However, I will bring my bike to get to class. Because of my project I will choose to bike instead of driving when I go downtown. Once you become aware of the earth, of your watershed, of the poverty in your community, of the state of biking, these things become part of your state of mind.

Posted in Synthesis | Comments Off on Synthesis 2

final synthesis

Before enrolling in Geography of the James during the first semester, there was a night where Kenta, Brian Strehlow, and I went to Manchester climbing wall to hang out, meet people, and climb for the day. Towards the end of our day, we all climbed on top of the wall to see a spectacular view of the sun setting behind our city. As we were sitting there staring at the beautiful site before us, we exclaimed and rejoiced at how much we love Richmond and how interesting the city is. As with most exclamations and realizations that I have had about the city, it has always been a pleasant surprise to feel the way I do. Coming from St. Francisville, I do not think I realized what it meant to be proud of the place that you come from or are living. I understood that St. Francisville was a neat little nook of the world, but never have I had the same compassion that I have for Richmond, Virginia. Part of this is due to Earthlodge and Geography of the James. Learning about the relevant and interesting history of the place that I am living while learning about its’ watershed and its’ relation to other watersheds makes me feel more in touch with the city and more connected to the world around me.

Looking back at last four blog posts, I realized that my main focus has been on connectivity. In my second reflection post, I talked about Ralph White and his vision of the park system and how it relates to the city. In my community based learning post, I described the first hand experience I had in seeing mountain top removal and the direct consequences that coal mining has on the communities that surround it. Thirdly, I used my free post to relive riding around campus after the release of the green bikes and to explore the future effects of what the University’s planned construction will do. Lastly, in my final reflection post, I spent time attempting to make sense of why we, as a student body, are not more aware of the environmental impacts that we have and the causal relationship that should not fall far from the other lessons the University strives to teach us.

The idea of connectivity has been one of the most important lessons that the Earth lodge experience has helped me realize. Connectivity is something so simple in concept, yet it is often the very thing that people do not realize. When I speak or write about connectivity, I feel like I most often reference it in terms of our connection with nature around us, but I think it is important to also see the connectivity we have with each other. As I was walking along the river with Grace at Pony Pasture today, we saw some fellow UR students. As we passed, we excitedly said hello. After a minute, we both laughed and realized that those very people that we were excited to say hello to were people we had never actually talked to. We had only seen them around campus.  It was the connection that we both had to the University of Richmond that spurred us to engage each other. You and me, on an individual level, make up the greater community that is UofR. As Helen Keller cheesily, yet beautifully put: “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” In a community where I think a lot of people often feel out of place, I think this quote is reflective of our effect on the greater.

When we met with Michelle Kokolis, we looked at ways in which people often look to reduce the footprint they have on the watershed. Whether it be through the installation of rain barrels, rain gardens, or more planting of native species in a garden, arguably, her most important and extending message to the people she educated was that even though they alone may not make a huge impact on improving the health of the watershed, it was with the participation of others in their community that change would be achieved. Through being connected with nature and with the surrounding community, one is able to make a difference.

In George Appling’s post about community based learning, he talked about his experience in volunteering with Ralph White to cover up some graffiti. At the beginning of his post, he mentioned how he normally does not think of volunteering as particularly exciting. His incident with Ralph White proved otherwise. The crossing of the train tracks, the exciting conversation, and the extensive understanding of what they were doing and why allowed for George to have a positive experience. It was the ability to communicate, his passion, and his knowledge (the ingredients for a good environmental leader) that allowed Ralph to reach out and create a positive change and connection. His connectivity with the park system he was in charge of and his ability to relate that back to others who were not as aware is part of what made Ralph White become such an instrumental role in developing the park system in Richmond.

When we leave the University of Richmond, this lesson of connectivity that Geography of the James has taught us will hopefully stick with us. Yes, we will have expanded our knowledge on watersheds and the history of Richmond, Virginia, but the ability to realize where people come from, their path in life, and being able to empathize will be one of the more valuable skills in life.

 

Posted in Synthesis | Comments Off on final synthesis

Trash Cleanup with Ralph White

A few weekends ago, a group of us met up with Ralph White at Mayo Island to do some beautifying. In the parking lot, he greeted us warmly and introduced us to a pair of boaters. Their gratitude for volunteer efforts like ours was apparent, and the river passion they shared with Ralph made for a rousing introduction to the day. Then we all walked to the railroad tracks, which Ralph warned us was technically trespassing. “Don’t come with me,” he said, grinning, “unless you’re prepared to get arrested today.” But we followed him, carrying painting and trash collection supplies, over a narrow railway bridge and down onto the island.

Some of our group stayed at the bridge to paint over some of the more obscene graffiti visible to passing boaters on the James. There was a section of graffiti near the water, though, that no one dares to touch. Ralph mentioned it during our class field trip with him, and I was struck by the respect he holds for true street artists despite the negative connotation the medium carries, especially for public officials. A few kayakers passed by occasionally, and they all called out to make sure we weren’t painting over the good stuff. I’m realizing again and again that the river community here is both beautifully tight-knit and consistently welcoming.

The other half of our group cleaned up some trash in an area of the island that serves as a homeless encampment. There was a huge tarp and a few tents, some furniture, a fire pit, and a gigantic pile of trash. Ralph explained to us that the people who’ve lived here have done a better job every year of keeping the area clean and collecting their trash for volunteers to haul away. When someone new moves in, he said, he approaches them and explains how the volunteer cleanups work and asks them to do their part–inevitably, this gesture of respect forges a friendly relationship between the homeless community and the park system. “It’s been ages since these guys were throwing trash in the river,” Ralph said. It’s a testament to his deep-rooted faith in humanity’s desire for a healthy habitat, and to his incredible embodiment of the communication, knowledge, and energy that define an effective environmental leader.

Posted in Community Based Learning | Comments Off on Trash Cleanup with Ralph White

A Final Reflection

On this warm afternoon, I traveled again to my familiar spot in the gazebo.  Looking across the lake I notice many more people enjoying the pleasant weather than I saw the last time I wrote a reflection post.  A couple feeds the ducks and geese with their child, multiple people are walking their dogs around the lake, and there are many other students joining me on the gazebo’s island.  One of the things that continuously fascinates me about Richmond is the fickleness of the weather.  It was only a few weeks ago it seemed that I was walking through snow and bundling up.  Now I’m wearing summer clothes and enjoying the heat of the sun.  Just walking around campus these past few days, I have seen so  many more students sitting outside doing their work and enjoying the warm air.

This weather reminds me of the weather at the very beginning of the year when it was still technically summer.  I was excited to start my sophomore year as a member of Earth Lodge.  Still unsure about a lot of things, I tried to have a positive outlook and embrace challenges that appeared.  Now that it is the end of the year, I have accomplished many of the goals that I had created at the beginning of the year.  Through Earth Lodge, I was able to volunteer in the community, learn more about my city and the importance of the river, explore nature with our fall break trip, and help my friendships with the great people on my hall to grow.  I have learned so much this year about myself and the community that Earth Lodge creates.  Now that it is almost summer, I’m ready to use my free time and my newly gained knowledge about Richmond to explore the city and take advantage of all the opportunities it has to offer.

Posted in Reflection Spot | Comments Off on A Final Reflection

Reflection 3

Judging from my congestion, the mild sunburn, and the abundant bug life that is flying around, I would say spring has finally revealed itself. For the first time since coming to this reflection spot, I can sit comfortably in shorts and a t-shirt. Today on the drive back from our canoe trip up a tributary of the James, I thought about what Taylor said about the water readings they had taken on the stream that enters campus and the one that flows out and how the water quality is significantly worse after flowing through our campus. Yes, most people could have likely hypothesized that it was true, but confirming it makes it seem so much more unfortunate. In a place that has been established to spread knowledge and understanding of the world around us, it seems like there would be greater steps to reduce our footprint on the environment.  That of course is a fairly simplistic/ romantic view of what universities are, but what else are they for? Growing up? Experimenting? Socializing? Shouldn’t the idea that there is a causal relationship between what one does and its effects on the environment just be a small step from all of these things?

Posted in Reflection Spot | Comments Off on Reflection 3

Reflections on the Present and Future

Ever since my acceptance to my study abroad program in Atenas, Costa Rica, I’ve looked at this campus differently. At the ridiculously and unnecessarily lengthy study abroad orientation session I attended, I was warned about culture shock and given advice about adjustment to life in a new culture. Somehow, however, I’m not so much worried about realigning myself mentally as I am about acclimating to the astonishing change in surroundings I will encounter. Costa Rica is known for its beautiful beaches, volcanoes, rainforests and its unmatched biodiversity. I’ve been stalking the program website pictures and I am astounded that I’ll be visiting, let alone living in such a place.

Pondering my upcoming trip while lounging in the gazebo the other day, I compared UR to the SFS field station I will be moving into come September. In keeping with one of the largest themes we’ve discussed this year in class, I immediately considered the role of water in both places. The field station I’ll be living in overlooks the Rio Grande, and UR neighbors the James. One of the program’s classes is called Tropical Ecology and Sustainable Development, and a large part of the class involves studying the long-term and large-scale impact of agricultural practices. Through field trips to a Dole plantation and other farms, I will be studying the various irrigation and waste management strategies Costa Rican farmers employ in the attempt to maximize the potential economic and environmental benefits.

This idea ties into another class I’ll be taking, called Economic & Ethical Issues and Sustainable Development. Obviously sustainable development will be an important theme for me in the fall. This class will cover the idea of environmental responsibility, and the ways in which the Costa Rican government makes being green economically desirable for Costa Rican farmers. It seems like the U.S. could learn a thing or two from Costa Rica.

I’m beyond excited for my trip to Atenas in the fall, and have been struggling to focus on the goings-on of this semester rather than fantasize about what an awesome time I’ll be having in the fall. But I know that no matter how beautiful Costa Rica is, it won’t compare to the beauty I see in UR. Because UR is home.

Posted in Reflection Spot | Comments Off on Reflections on the Present and Future

A Glimpse of Spring

The last time I sat here it was cold, and desolate and eerily void of natures beauty.  In my last reflection I was caught off guard by the lack of connection to nature that sitting by the lake brought.  The present arrival of spring certainly brought a changed spirit to the area, as today is nothing short of a transformation.  The sun is shining and I can feel myself awakening from the tired winter with the extra vitamin D from its rays.  From the looks of it the whole campus and community have had a similar feeling.  The lake and surrounding area is alive with life: Dog walkers, runners, and students studying on the grass.

The signs of spring are apparent in far more subtle ways also.  On the ground I see green grass beginning to fill in the brown surface.   Along the edge of the lake I see daffodils in bloom and other plants beginning to bud on bushes nearby.  Some trees are beginning to form small green buds that should brighten up the lake even more in the coming weeks.   When I close my eyes I can hear birds singing all around me.  Their songs confirm the arrival of spring to the lake.

I’ve noticed a lot at this spot on campus and learned infinitely more about its cycle of life through my reflections.  When I first sat here the surface was so covered in ice I could have practically walked out onto it.  Looking at it today makes that seem unimaginable.  How could these be the same places?  How could the same ducks and geese live here during the frigid winter and during the beautiful spring?  Before I took the time to sit here regularly, I was like many students at Richmond; I appreciated the beauty of the campus and the lake in the fall and spring, but neglected to appreciate the natural beauty and resilience of this ecosystem in the winter.  Seeing the progression has been incredible and I will no longer view the lake or surrounding area as simply aesthetics, the presence of nature is clear and strong at Westhampton Lake as the winter fades into memory and life is brought forward.

Posted in Reflection Spot | 1 Comment

Reflection 3

I feel like a fool.  Looking back at my previous post, I remembered talking about how much I could sense that spring was coming, only for there to be a freak blizzard the day afterwards.  I think (perhaps I should say this hesitantly) that now it’s safe to say that spring is actually in the air; hopefully we won’t have another heap of snow dumped on us in the coming weeks.

Anyway, at my reflection spot across the lake, I ponder my surroundings.  The rain earlier today has left everything quite drenched.  At least it’s not snow, I think to myself.  It’s also very warm and humid, and I take that to be a sign that spring is coming, I hope.  As much as I am excited for warmer temperatures, I dread spring time in Richmond for one reason: I get horrible allergies.  In the coming weeks I’ll probably have to deal with what amounts to a non-stop runny nose, and on top of that everything on my face will itch like crazy.

But still, I am excited for the life to return to everything.  It will certainly make it a lot easier for us to identify the different species of trees on campus when all of the leaves return to their respective branches.  Looking around, I’m surprised by how I can now recognize the names of the trees that surround me now.  I see loblolly pine, of course, which are all over campus, I see a willow tree to my left (black willow?), and a sycamore behind me.  It’s cool, having the ability to recognize these trees now; it’s not that I’ve somehow gained an appreciation for them that I didn’t have before, it’s that I never really payed attention to what they were called.  Before, any tree was just a “tree.”  There are still quite a few trees that I still can’t name on campus; I look forward to attempting to be an expert on the trees of UofR in the next few weeks.

Posted in Reflection Spot | Comments Off on Reflection 3

William Bird Center Volunteering

Last Saturday morning, I traveled to the William Bird Community Center where a few of my fellow lodgers and I went to volunteer at the center’s urban farmlet. When we got there we were immediately greeted and brought to the gym where we learned about the history of the William Bird center and what it provides to the city of Richmond. We were then divided up into two groups, one that spent time weeding invasive grass species, and one that helped start setting up compost bins and began mulching. We worked along side a man named Mathew who was the garden manager for the urban farmlet, who continuously provided knowledge and insight on the tasks that we were performing, such as composting and information about the invasive species that we were trying to get ride of.

I was part of the group that helped that helped set up the compost bins and mulched. We spent a great deal of time emptying the compost bins so that we could move them into the main garden area. We saw how the compost bins were comprised of layers and sections of sticks, plants and grass, dirt, and eventually the soil that they would use. Once we emptied the bins and moved them, we helped set up a unique black plastic rotating compost bin. We filled up this bin and set it up in the garden area as well. Mathew told us about how the black plastic bin, although he had not used it before, was a faster method of composting because the black plastic generates more heat, which is essential to composting.

It was interesting to see the different methods of composting used, and how we could literally see the different stages and sections of the compost bins that we had to empty out. At the simplest level, the process of composting requires making a mound of damp organic matter and simply waiting for the materials to break down over time. Although there are more modern approaches for composting that are more time efficient, this was a great way to see a natural and traditional method.  We also learned about how compost can be rich in nutrients, and how the compost is beneficial for the land in many ways, such as a fertilizer, soil conditioner, and natural pesticide for soil. It is also useful for erosion control and as a landfill cover.

My time at the William Bird community center was extremely inspiring, and again we all saw first hand how giving a few hours to help out can make a tremendous difference. It was also exciting to hear about the farmers market they put on in the summer time once a week, and how they help out low-income families and allow the use of food stamps at their market. We learned that a lot of the volunteers they get are UR students, and we saw the impact they have made, including the construction of the compost bins and others tools that we were using.

Posted in Community Based Learning | Comments Off on William Bird Center Volunteering

Spring yet?

Unfortunately, the recent weather has not reminded me of the picturesque “Richmond Spring” that I remember from last year. I remember my first spring here. It was filled with bright green and every color flower. Instead, the weather has mostly been cold, wet and dark. Today is not an exception. The creek that I have slowly gotten to know does not look pretty today. The dark trees and dead leaves remind me of a barren winter. Objectively, the weather is not necessary cold, but for me, being used to warm Texas days, it feels more like winter. The creek is covered in in a thin layer of foam, keeping the creek bottom covered. Despite the recent rain from last night and this morning, the creek is surprisingly low, leaving the edges of the shore exposed and covered in wet mud. Today, more than my previous days, is quiet. Few cars pass by and the small waterfall is soft. I enjoy the silence and the feeling of privacy. However, I learned that this feeling of privacy is more of a façade. After my visit to my reflection spot, I learned that one of my friends was driving by and spotted me. He was curious about what I was doing, but he thought it was an interesting assignment. Previously, I thought the passing cars were oblivious to my presence, but apparently, some people are actually more aware of their surroundings than I thought. It was nice to know that some people are aware of the nature that surrounds them. I was able to explain some of the details of the watershed in which we live and they were surprisingly interested to learn more about it.

I had hoped by this time of the year, my reflection spot would be blossoming with green and flowers. However, I will wait a few more weeks and visit it once more to see how my spot is doing. After spending time in this spot throughout the seasons, it has been interesting to see the change occur. I have never put much thought into detailing the changes of one small spot, but I believe this activity taught me to be more observant in nature.

Posted in Reflection Spot | 2 Comments