Preservation Proposal
Basics
Description:
The Chesapeake Bay is a vital part of Maryland and Virginia’s history and livelihood. Although the Chesapeake Bay’s watershed includes New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, the two states that are directly connected to the Bay and use it the most recreationally, and for work are Maryland and Virginia. Over the years, the Bay has become increasingly more polluted because of agricultural and residential run off1. Development in the watershed has led to more paved surfaces that are unable to filter out the trash and nutrients that have a major impact on the declining health of the Bay.
Oysters are an integral part of the Chesapeake Bay’s health. They filter water - about 50 gallons per day!1 There has been such a decline in the population due to harvesting and other reasons that now, it would take over a year to filter all of the water that is in the Chesapeake1. Before, when the population was booming, it would only have taken a few days. That is a phenomenal change in population and it is critical that the numbers get back to where they were in the 1800’s.
Purpose and Main Goal:
The purpose of this project is to lend a hand in helping the Chesapeake recover from years of continual stress and decline. The main goal that I would like to see accomplished is to set up a protected oyster farm by utilizing the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Maryland to set up oyster beds and habitat. There is already a project like this in Virginia that utilizes many volunteers in order to transplant the oysters. They worked with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in order to get the project running, and as well as to maintain it.
Public Awareness:
This project will enhance public awareness because a lot of people do not know how to help the Bay recover. After the oyster beds are created, they will still need to be maintained, and possibly there may be more of a push to create new beds. Because this project will rely on volunteers as well as the class to help, newspaper articles and advertisements would be a great way to raise awareness. If you get the community involved, they may try to make lifestyle changes in order to promote the health of the bay.
Sustainability:
As previously stated, the project can be sustained with the help of a marine biology center and by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Also, if they oyster beds are created they should be able to sustain themselves by reproduction. The oysters filter the water in the Bay and eventually, after there are enough oysters, there should be a change in water quality.
Budget:
I am not sure what the budget will need to include yet because the Chesapeake Bay Foundation may be able to fund some of this project. I would assume however that we could run newspaper ads and also feed the volunteers.
Newspaper Ad(s): $100-$200
Food/Drinks for Volunteers: $200-$300
Contacts:
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Headquarters
Philip Merrill Environmental Center
6 Herndon Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21403
phone: 410.268.8816
phone: 410.269.0481 (from Baltimore)
phone: 301.261.2350 (from D.C. metro)
fax: 410.268.6687
Virginia State Office
Capitol Place
1108 E. Main Street
Suite 1600
Richmond, VA 23219
phone: 804.780.1392
fax: 804.648.4011
Research
Historical Significance:
As previously stated, the oyster population in the 1800’s was at a point where all of the water in the bay could be filtered in a few days. Now, it would take over a year to do the same. It is important that Maryland and Virginia be able to still harvest oysters while maintaining the critical numbers needed to filter the Bay’s water.
Readings:
1. Moore, Chris. “CBF’s Oyster Farm in Virginia is a Huge Success”. Chesapeake Bay Foundation. 12 Oct. 2006.
This article discusses the project of creating oyster beds in Virginia. It also discusses the significant role that oysters play in filtering the water in the Chesapeake Bay. It describes how the project was started, and implemented as well.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Landscape Proposal - Farms
Description
Creeping down the long, white, rocky driveway I can feel my excitement rising. I can’t wait to park and jump out of my car and step into the fresh air of Harford County. Even though this is not where I live, this is home to me. I look around and notice the old wooden fence is leaning a little bit more then it was the last time, probably because the horses love to scratch up against it. The grass in the three large fields is tall and jungle-like; my guess is that it hasn’t been cut in at least two months. Behind the fields are houses with oversized mowed lawns whose fences come within feet of the farm’s. The yards have play houses, and one even has a giant trampoline and a sitting area around a fire pit. There are trees surrounding the farm, creating a quiet hideaway from the bustle of a busy town. The barn on the farm is located about 100 yards from the original farm house. It is old and the painted red wood looks like it needs a new coat but it doesn’t faze me. I walk down inside the barn and can look straight through to the riding ring on the other side, all the while wondering what adventures await me today. The stalls are neatly kept, all of the doors are closed and there is no one to be seen. Perfect. I couldn’t ask for a more relaxing, comfortable place to clear my mind.
Statement on approaches & methods
The axioms that are most pertinent to my landscape study are the geographic axiom and also environmental control. Geographically, there are farms in every state, however the percentage of people who actually see them and get to experience them on a regular basis is probably very small. The environmental control axiom is important because farms these days are quickly dwindling in numbers. Many people do not have the patience to keep up with all the work they require, and developers can make great profits creating plots and building houses out of them.
The boundaries on a farm are usually very explicit. First of all, some farms have a gated entrance. These are usually very large farms where there is a lot of money, such as for race horses. Also, there are fences separating fields, the riding ring, a race track, and possibly even driveway areas. Stalls are separated by wood, or in some cases cement blocks. Another boundary that may not be so noticeable to people are the long driveways usually associated with farms. These driveways serve to keep the main areas of the farm secluded and hidden away from roads and large numbers of people. A social boundary that exists outside of all of the other boundaries is the attitude of the farmer or owner. Generally, people must have permission to be on the property because the owners work very hard to maintain their farms.
Thesis Statement
Farms with or without animals are imperative landscapes which can help improve mental and physical health, are good for the environment, and need to be preserved for future generations.
Annotated Bibliography
1. Berget, B. “Attitudes to animal-assisted therapy with farm animals among health staff and farmers.” Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Sep 2008 Vol 15(7) 576-581
This journal article is important because it “confirms the marked potential of offering AAT services with farm animals for psychiatric patients by documenting positive attitudes to it among psychiatric therapists.” Psychiatrists agree that animal-assisted therapy which can take place on farms is an integral part of teaching mentally impaired people important skills such as human interaction and communication skills.
2. Carney, Leo. “Farmland preservation is Lagging” New York Times 20, Nov.
1994.
This newspaper article highlights how farmland is diminishing in New Jersey. Even though there is land being preserved, a lot of farmland is still being sold to developers. The article also discusses how to make farming more attractive to a younger population.
3. Farmland Information Center. 2006. 4, Nov. 2008.
This online source is reputable because it “is affiliated with the National Agricultural Library and is a member of the Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC)--an alliance of the National Agricultural Library, land-grant university libraries and other organizations that provides online access to agricultural information. It will be helpful because it will provide statistics that I can use in my paper as well as state laws for the preservation of farmland.
4. McLaughlin, Lisa. “Inner-city farms”. Time Canada. 4, august. 2008, Vol. 172, Issue 5. 39-40
This article discusses the boom in farms located in inner cities. Growing vegetables and other food items in your backyard or down the street greatly reduces food costs and also helps the environment. These small farms promote relationships within the city because a few neighbors may have to share a space where there are few to be found.
5. Gentile, Annie. “Competing for America’s Farmland.” American City and County. April. 2005. Vol 120, Issue 4. 12-14
This article points out that it is cheaper for tax payers in towns where there is more farmland because they are not paying for a lot of children to go to public schools. Because of the high taxes that come with residential and developing neighborhoods, conservation groups are taking action to keep farms exactly how they are. The article also discusses how the farmer’s commitment to their land is imperative because they could sell their land and make large sums of money instead of protecting it.
Creeping down the long, white, rocky driveway I can feel my excitement rising. I can’t wait to park and jump out of my car and step into the fresh air of Harford County. Even though this is not where I live, this is home to me. I look around and notice the old wooden fence is leaning a little bit more then it was the last time, probably because the horses love to scratch up against it. The grass in the three large fields is tall and jungle-like; my guess is that it hasn’t been cut in at least two months. Behind the fields are houses with oversized mowed lawns whose fences come within feet of the farm’s. The yards have play houses, and one even has a giant trampoline and a sitting area around a fire pit. There are trees surrounding the farm, creating a quiet hideaway from the bustle of a busy town. The barn on the farm is located about 100 yards from the original farm house. It is old and the painted red wood looks like it needs a new coat but it doesn’t faze me. I walk down inside the barn and can look straight through to the riding ring on the other side, all the while wondering what adventures await me today. The stalls are neatly kept, all of the doors are closed and there is no one to be seen. Perfect. I couldn’t ask for a more relaxing, comfortable place to clear my mind.
Statement on approaches & methods
The axioms that are most pertinent to my landscape study are the geographic axiom and also environmental control. Geographically, there are farms in every state, however the percentage of people who actually see them and get to experience them on a regular basis is probably very small. The environmental control axiom is important because farms these days are quickly dwindling in numbers. Many people do not have the patience to keep up with all the work they require, and developers can make great profits creating plots and building houses out of them.
The boundaries on a farm are usually very explicit. First of all, some farms have a gated entrance. These are usually very large farms where there is a lot of money, such as for race horses. Also, there are fences separating fields, the riding ring, a race track, and possibly even driveway areas. Stalls are separated by wood, or in some cases cement blocks. Another boundary that may not be so noticeable to people are the long driveways usually associated with farms. These driveways serve to keep the main areas of the farm secluded and hidden away from roads and large numbers of people. A social boundary that exists outside of all of the other boundaries is the attitude of the farmer or owner. Generally, people must have permission to be on the property because the owners work very hard to maintain their farms.
Thesis Statement
Farms with or without animals are imperative landscapes which can help improve mental and physical health, are good for the environment, and need to be preserved for future generations.
Annotated Bibliography
1. Berget, B. “Attitudes to animal-assisted therapy with farm animals among health staff and farmers.” Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Sep 2008 Vol 15(7) 576-581
This journal article is important because it “confirms the marked potential of offering AAT services with farm animals for psychiatric patients by documenting positive attitudes to it among psychiatric therapists.” Psychiatrists agree that animal-assisted therapy which can take place on farms is an integral part of teaching mentally impaired people important skills such as human interaction and communication skills.
2. Carney, Leo. “Farmland preservation is Lagging” New York Times 20, Nov.
1994.
This newspaper article highlights how farmland is diminishing in New Jersey. Even though there is land being preserved, a lot of farmland is still being sold to developers. The article also discusses how to make farming more attractive to a younger population.
3. Farmland Information Center. 2006. 4, Nov. 2008.
This online source is reputable because it “is affiliated with the National Agricultural Library and is a member of the Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC)--an alliance of the National Agricultural Library, land-grant university libraries and other organizations that provides online access to agricultural information. It will be helpful because it will provide statistics that I can use in my paper as well as state laws for the preservation of farmland.
4. McLaughlin, Lisa. “Inner-city farms”. Time Canada. 4, august. 2008, Vol. 172, Issue 5. 39-40
This article discusses the boom in farms located in inner cities. Growing vegetables and other food items in your backyard or down the street greatly reduces food costs and also helps the environment. These small farms promote relationships within the city because a few neighbors may have to share a space where there are few to be found.
5. Gentile, Annie. “Competing for America’s Farmland.” American City and County. April. 2005. Vol 120, Issue 4. 12-14
This article points out that it is cheaper for tax payers in towns where there is more farmland because they are not paying for a lot of children to go to public schools. Because of the high taxes that come with residential and developing neighborhoods, conservation groups are taking action to keep farms exactly how they are. The article also discusses how the farmer’s commitment to their land is imperative because they could sell their land and make large sums of money instead of protecting it.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
"Home is where the heart is."
Waking up to a warm spring day, I walk out our sliding glass door onto the warm stained wood of the deck out back. My cat is lying underneath a bench contently flipping her tail in the light breeze. I am greeted by my mother, who looks up from the book resting on her lap. As the sun shines on my face and I take a deep breath of crisp, fresh air, I lean down to hug her. This is my parents’ home. It is where I live, where I spent most of my childhood and where I love to come home to after a long week at school. But even with these strong ties to my parents’ house, I long to have a home of my own, set on vast acres of tantalizing green grass. My dream is to have horses that roam the land and eagerly greet me for an easy morning ride along the forest trails, and to have cows and ducks and pigs that have their own personalities and amuse me with their ridiculous antics. One day, this will be my home – where my heart truly lies – on the rolling hills of my very own farm.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Cultural significance of Stop Signs
Stop signs, while an important part of society today, are relatively ineffective due to the vast majority of them. A lot of people tend to ignore stop signs all together in small neighborhoods and on side streets, or roll through the stop signs if there is no police officer around to make them do otherwise. Because of this, I feel that traffic circles are a better alternative to stop signs. The traffic circle allows traffic to keep moving when no one else is around, or in the case of a busy intersection, yield to cars already in the circle. According to the Federal Highway Administration, it is a fact that roundabouts "decrease accidents and increase capacity." The reason why roundabouts are safer is because they deflect traffic when cars enter, making them have to slow down in order to enter the circle, therefore making them a much better alternative to traffic lights and stop signs.
Thesis Statement
Horse ownership throughout history whether for pleasure or purpose, has always been representative of an elite class.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
My Riding Boots
For as long as I can remember I have always loved horses and found myself amazed by their natural grace and beauty. There is something majestic and thrilling about them that always draws me in. I love seeing them, being around them, and most of all riding them. It is impossible to completely capture with words the peaceful, at ease feelings I experience from merely being around horses. The perfect artifact to represent a significant part of who I am would be my riding boots. They are dependable, sturdy and always ready for whatever adventures I decide to embark on. My chocolate colored boots are well worn in, making the leather soft and pliable. They are the base of my steady seat, and without them it would be impossible for me to enjoy the simple pleasure of the repetitive, but never old, sound of a horses hooves underneath me.
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