Introductory Field Biology Fall 2010 Introductory Field Biology at Hiram College

Components:

                While disassembling the old wall next to Bonnie Castle, it was important to understand why we were working so hard.  What we were doing had a much larger impact on the environment than just the aesthetic aspect of making the wall look appealing.  Reusing the sandstone is beneficial to the environment as opposed to using concrete or brick.  The concrete does not last anywhere near as long as the sandstone which is about 150 years old.  Brick also does not last as long as sandstone.  By reusing the sandstone, it meant that we were not using other materials that could be harmful for the environment.  The sandstone is also pervious which means that it lets water pass through it rather than running off and causing watershed build-up.  The sandstone is a much more sustainable material than other modern materials, and although Bonnie Castle is only one location, if the same recycling of materials was used at numerous locations, the effects would be drastic.

Activities:

                Wile at Bonnie Castle, we worked on a number of projects to help improve not only the visual appeal of the building but also the health of the landscape around the building.  We tore down the old sandstone wall so that the stones could be used to rebuild the wall properly.  We also worked for a while on tearing invasive plants out of the garden and flower beds in the front of the building.  The species was highly invasive and was taking over the flower bed, driving out native species almost entirely.  After removing most of the invasive species out of the front, we then mulched the beds in the back of the house, supporting the new plants to grow and develop naturally and also to help keep weeds and other invasive plants out without the use of herbicides.

Skills:

                We learned a number of skills while working at Bonnie Castle.  During the process of disassembling the wall, we acquired a basic knowledge of stone masonry.  We learned the importance of building the wall properly and placing the right stone in the right place, we also learned the importance of the types of materials used and the impact the materials can have on the environment.  We also received a basic knowledge of certain invasive plant species; how they were introduced to this area, and also the effects they have on the indigenous plant species.  We also learned about the uses and importance of mulch and how to make our own gardens that have a low impact on the surrounding environment.