#Watershed Nature Center

[wausaupilot]

UWSP announces new leadership in conservation roles

These leadership changes reflect the school's dedication to advancing conservation education and sustainability initiatives in Wisconsin.

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources has recently appointed new leaders for three key University of Wisconsin-Extension centers to further its commitment to conservation education, research and community outreach. Steven Hubbard has been named the director of the Wisconsin Forestry Center and a UW-Extension forestry specialist. With a Ph.D. in forestry and wood…

[cognitivejustice]

What is Green Infrastructure?

Runoff from stormwater continues to be a major cause of water pollution in urban areas. It carries trash, bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants through storm sewers into local waterways. Heavy rainstorms can cause flooding that damages property and infrastructure.

Historically, communities have used gray infrastructure—systems of gutters, pipes, and tunnels—to move stormwater away from where we live to treatment plants or straight to local water bodies.  The gray infrastructure in many areas is aging, and its existing capacity to manage large volumes of stormwater is decreasing in areas across the country. To meet this challenge, many communities are installing green infrastructure systems to bolster their capacity to manage stormwater. By doing so, communities are becoming more resilient and achieving environmental, social and economic benefits.

Basically, green infrastructure filters and absorbs stormwater where it falls. In 2019, Congress enacted the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, which defines green infrastructure as "the range of measures that use plant or soil systems, permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters." 

Green infrastructure elements can be woven into a community at several scales. Examples at the urban scale could include a rain barrel up against a house, a row of trees along a major city street, or greening an alleyway. Neighborhood scale green infrastructure could include acres of open park space outside a city center, planting rain gardens or constructing a wetland near a residential housing complex. At the landscape or watershed scale, examples could include protecting large open natural spaces, riparian areas, wetlands or greening steep hillsides. When green infrastructure systems are installed throughout a community, city or across a regional watershed, they can provide cleaner air and water as well as significant value for the community with flood protection, diverse habitat, and beautiful green spaces.

[collapsedsquid]

Great Salt Lake’s death and the death of the lives she sustains could become our death, too. The dry lake bed now exposed to the wind is laden with toxic elements, accumulated in the lake over decades. On any given day, dust devils are whipping up a storm in these hot spots, blowing mercury- and arsenic-laced winds through the Wasatch Front, where 2.6 million people dwell, with Salt Lake City at its center. Arsenic levels in the lake bed are already far higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommendation for safety. And with the state’s population projected to increase to 5.5 million people by 2060, the urgency to reverse the lake’s retreat will only grow.

Yet I do not believe Utahns have fully grasped the magnitude of what we are facing. We could be forced to leave.

[...]

Scientists tell us the lake needs an additional one million acre-feet per year to reverse its decline, increasing average stream flow to about 2.5 million acre-feet per year. A gradual refilling would begin. Two-thirds of the natural flow going into the lake is currently being diverted: 80 percent of that diversion by agriculture, 10 percent by industries and 10 percent by municipalities. Water conservation provides a map for how to live within our means. We can create water banks and budgets where we know how much water we have and how much water we spend. Public and private green turf can be retired. State and federal agencies must turn toward Indigenous leaders for traditional knowledge about watershed restoration and conservation.

Piece predicting a full on 2nd dust bowl here

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Inside Climate News:

Sheldon Auto Wrecking is a local institution in southwestern Wisconsin’s Vernon County. It’s tucked in a lush valley just downstream of a 50-foot earthen dam, locally known as “Maple Dale.” 

The salvage yard, which buys used vehicles and farm machinery in this rural area to sell for parts, has been in business for nearly 70 years. For most of those years, the dam—less than a half-mile up the road—has protected its yard of hundreds of old cars and broken-down equipment from frequent and sometimes severe flooding in the area.

The dam “was put in place for a reason,” said owner Greg Sheldon.

But it might soon go away. 

Maple Dale is one of thousands of dams constructed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, beginning in the mid-20th century, for the purposes of flood control. 

In 2018, five similar dams in the region failed during a massive rainstorm that caused property damage in the tens of millions of dollars. A study determined that several other dams in the watersheds hit hardest by the flood, including Maple Dale, were also vulnerable to failure but would be too expensive to replace. 

As a result, local officials are voting on whether to dismantle the dams by cutting large notches in them, allowing the water to flow again, in a process called decommissioning. Experts say it could be the most dams ever decommissioned in a single county in the U.S. 

And it could be a harbinger for other communities.

Although the county may be the first to take on a project of this size, it’s unlikely to be the last. Dams across the country are aging, and also facing pressures from urban sprawl and intensifying floods wrought by climate change. The price tag to fix what’s broken, though, is estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars, meaning dam owners could face hard questions about what to do with them. 

In Viroqua, it’s also leaving the people who own property below the dams uneasy about what comes next—including Sheldon.

“To come along and just rip a big hole out and let the water run is a mistake,” he said.

Removal Plan Controversial

The southwest Wisconsin dams are among nearly 12,000 that have been built under the USDA’s Watershed Programs. Generally smaller and set in rural agricultural areas, they’re mostly clustered from the center of the country eastward. Oklahoma has the most, followed by Texas, Iowa and Missouri. 

The idea for the watershed program dams arose during the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. Because there was little vegetation left on the landscape to soak up rain when it fell, there were several severe floods during that time, prompting federal agencies to look for a way to control the water. 

To get the dams built, the Natural Resources Conservation Service entered into a contract with a local sponsor, such as a county. NRCS covered all the construction costs and helped the sponsor with inspections and repairs. In return, the sponsor maintained the dam for a certain number of years—under most contracts, 50—to ensure taxpayers got their money’s worth out of the project. 

Since many of the dams were built in the 1960s and 1970s, said Steve Becker, Wisconsin’s state conservation engineer for NRCS, their contracts are now up. 

“We pretty much told the counties, ‘You have full autonomy to do whatever you want with those dams,” Becker said. “You can maintain, you can rehab, you can repair. It doesn’t really matter. We’re out.” 

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Our cosmic neighborhood may be 10x larger

A team of international researchers guided by astronomers at University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy is challenging our understanding of the universe with groundbreaking findings that suggest our cosmic neighborhood may be far larger than previously thought. The Cosmicflows team has been studying the movements of 56,000 galaxies, revealing a potential shift in the scale of our galactic basin of attraction.

A decade ago, the team concluded that our galaxy, the Milky Way, resides within a massive basin of attraction called Laniākea, stretching 500 million light-years across. However, new data suggests that this understanding may only scratch the surface. There is now a 60% probability that we are part of an even grander structure, potentially 10 times larger in volume, centered on the Shapley concentration—a region packed with an immense amount of mass and gravitational pull. The findings were recently published in Nature Astronomy. 

“Our universe is like a giant web, with galaxies lying along filaments and clustering at nodes where gravitational forces pull them together,” said UH Astronomer R. Brent Tully, one of the study’s lead researchers. “Just as water flows within watersheds, galaxies flow within cosmic basins of attraction. The discovery of these larger basins could fundamentally change our understanding of cosmic structure.”

Vast cosmos

The universe’s origins date back 13 billion years when tiny differences in density began to shape the cosmos, growing under the influence of gravity into the vast structures we see today. But if our galaxy is part of a basin of attraction much larger than Laniākea, which means immense heaven in the Hawaiian language, it would suggest that the initial seeds of cosmic structure grew far beyond current models.

“This discovery presents a challenge: our cosmic surveys may not yet be large enough to map the full extent of these immense basins,” said UH astronomer and co-author Ehsan Kourkchi. “We are still gazing through giant eyes, but even these eyes may not be big enough to capture the full picture of our universe.”

Gravitational forces 

The researchers evaluate these large-scale structures by examining their impact on the motions of galaxies. A galaxy between two such structures will be caught in a gravitational tug-of-war in which the balance of the gravitational forces from the surrounding large-scale structures determines the galaxy’s motion. By mapping the velocities of galaxies throughout our local universe, the team is able to define the region of space where each supercluster dominates.

The researchers are set to continue their quest to map the largest structures of the cosmos, driven by the possibility that our place in the universe is part of a far more expansive and interconnected system than ever imagined.

TOP IMAGE: Galaxy motions converge into colored basins of attraction. The Milky Way is shown as the red dot. Credit University of Hawaiʻi

LOWER IMAGE: Laniākea, an immense supercluster of galaxies, including our own. Credit University of Hawaiʻi

[pcttrailsidereader]

Trash on the Trail -- What's Out There

Bandages, balloons, bullet casings: Here’s how much trash is on the Pacific Crest Trail

A pair of environmental scientists who thru-hiked the trail last year conducted the largest known and most comprehensive survey of litter on the Pacific Crest Trail. Illustration by Sophie D'Amato/The Chronicle from No Trace Trails elements.

Their findings reflected my own perception of trash on the PCT. The litter I have encountered does seem to be concentrated around highway crossings, campgrounds, trailheads, and high-use areas with easy road access. The issue of toilet paper along the trail is a more complicated issue . . . one that seemingly combines awareness, behavioral change, and some infrastructure support.

ByGregory Thomas and Harsha Devulapalli

Roughly 1 million people per year venture onto the wild and scenic Pacific Crest Trail, the 2,650-mile hiking route that winds through the West Coast’s soaring mountain ranges between Mexico and Canada.

That includes hikers out for a day in the woods, backpackers on multiday trips and thru-hikers seeking to conquer the whole thing in one long trek. Inevitably, some of those nature lovers leave behind micro-trash and bits of plastic litter. No one has sought to quantify the impact of trash on the trail — until now.

A pair of environmental scientists who thru-hiked the trail last year conducted the largest known survey of litter on the PCT, providing a sharp look at the kinds of materials people leave on the trail, in what concentrations, and where. The project was carried out, mile by mile, by Tori McGruer, 29, who holds a doctorate in environmental toxicology, and Macy Gustavus, 25, who holds a master’s degree in watershed sciences.

Here’s what they found.

A look at a few of McGruer and Gustavus’ findings

Graphic by Sophie D'Amato/The Chronicle from No Trace Trails elements

© OpenMapTiles© OpenStreetMap contributors

McGruer and Gustavus started their journey in March 2023 in Campo (San Diego County), near the Mexican border, the launchpad for northbound thru-hikers. They’d secured $16,000 in funding through grants and partnerships, quit their jobs and hit the trail.

From the get-go, they found significant concentrations of litter — bottle caps, gum wrappers and rubber fragments.

Over the next six months, McGruer (right) and Gustavus hiked the full 2,650-mile trail, which crosses the High Sierra and the Cascade Range, to the Canadian border. They cataloged — and usually collected — more than 1,000 pieces of trash. They found lots of snack wrappers, used toilet paper, Band-Aids and cigarette butts as well as novelties like Mylar balloons, a spent shotgun cartridge and a rusty horseshoe.

The researchers surveyed 1-kilometer segments of trail at 10-mile intervals — a total of 260 survey areas ● (a rate of about 2-3 per day). Each hiker scoped for litter on her respective side of the trail to a distance of about 6 feet from its center.

They handled trash objects with plastic salad tongs for sanitary reasons and deposited them into waterproof stuff sacks, “so if there was something gross we could put it in there and not worry about it leaching out,” McGruer said.

Certain heavy or cumbersome items, like pieces of an abandoned car, were cataloged but left on the trail. They categorized each item using Rubbish, a mobile app that helps users organize and geolocate litter in open spaces.

So, the dirtiest stretch of the entire trail?

A long segment bookending the San Gabriel Mountains on the outskirts of Los Angeles was the dirtiest of the entire PCT, presumably due to its proximity to a major metropolis. One-third of all the trash the researchers logged during their trip came from this region.

A few survey areas there contained hundreds of litter items. However, the researchers set a 100-item maximum when counting litter in a given survey area. When they hit that threshold, they believed they could extrapolate the trash concentration with reasonable accuracy, they said.

Mylar Balloons

Those shiny, metallic, helium-filled balloons are remarkably durable and capable of floating long distances. Strangely, they are winding up in remote wilderness areas at a rate that is concerning to biologists, as the Chronicle has recently reported.

McGruer retrieved several of them in the Southern California desert — one stuck in a patch of bushes, another submerged in a river. Survey aside, she made it a personal mission to remove the ones she found.

“One day I had like three partially inflated ones attached to my pack and someone passing us on the trail said ‘happy birthday’ to me,” she said.

The researchers found trash in about 60% of the 260 survey zones, meaning 40% contained no discernible litter. The hot spots along the trail tended to correlate with areas of easy access and high human traffic like highway crossings, campgrounds and day-use areas.

Brian Feulner/Special to the Chronicle

Many of the zero-trash areas were in remote mountain regions like Northern California’s High Sierra and Washington’s Cascade Range, where few people set foot.

That finding tracks with the experience of Jack Haskel, trail information manager for the Pacific Crest Trail Association, which maintains the trail on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service.

“Much of the trail is pretty pristine regarding trash but you do find hot spots where there’s a lot of it,” he said.

The most common trash materials found were: soft plastics, such as bits of bar wrappers or cuts of duct tape; hard plastics like water bottles and broken trekking pole baskets; brass bullet casings; paper shreds and used toilet paper; cigarette butts; and miscellaneous fragments.

In many instances, researchers encountered single pieces of stray trash, one at a time. But sometimes they’d find dozens of pieces of litter linked to a single event. For instance, in the backcountry of Shasta County they found 50 or more strands of tree-flagging tape used by foresters scattered on the ground.

What’s that?

In some cases, differentiating rubbish from natural ground materials was challenging. Identifying and classifying objects required four of the five senses — sight, smell, touch and, at one point, taste.

Unsure about the makeup of a smooth chunk of translucent detritus they found in the dirt –— was it plastic? glass? a natural mineral? — Gustavus popped it into her mouth and bit down. Glass, she decided.

“That’s not common,” Gustavus said. “I don’t encourage people to do that.”

Toilet paper

Used toilet paper left along the trail — half-buried, stuffed under a rock, clinging to bushes — is the PCT’s single, stand-out trash problem, according to Haskel of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. It is a gross, unsightly bane of trail rangers and volunteer stewards. The trash researchers found a lot of it — particularly in the northern states.

“In Oregon and Washington there was toilet paper everywhere,” McGruer said. “I was like, what is happening?”

In lieu of using a toilet, backpackers and hikers should bury their waste several inches deep in the ground, or use a wag bag and carry it out, and take their soiled toilet paper with them. Poop carries toxins and bacteria that, even when buried, can leach into nearby water sources and infect wildlife, Haskel said.

Biodegradables

Sunflower seeds, pistachio and peanut shells, orange peels — the researchers found them scattered along the entire trail route, and seeing them drove Gustavus “absolutely insane.” Yes, they should technically break down over time, she said, but hikers shouldn’t feel free to dump them in the natural environment.

“It’s kind of a misguided principle,” Gustavus said. “That stuff does not belong out there.”

Pictured: Pistachio shells on the trail in the mountains of Washington State.

The pair completed their thru-hike in September 2023. McGruer (left) and Gustavus are shown here at the PCT's northern terminus in the remote mountains where Washington State meets Canada.

It’s important to note that many PCT users actively beautify the trail each year.

Local volunteer groups, rangers and backpackers are all known to pick up trash they encounter on their outings as a simple act of altruism. Also, eight years ago a pair of young men made it their mission to remove the junk they encountered during their thru-hike; they ended up with more than 700 pounds of stuff, including a mattress.

Extrapolating from their data, McGruer and Gustavus estimate there to be about 200,000 pieces of trash along the trail at any given moment. But that’s not to say the trail feels trashy, McGruer said.

“We frequently saw trash, but often there would be a small piece in one of our 1-kilometer surveys. You wouldn't register that as a ton of trash,” she said. “I think what our survey findings say is that people leave a trash footprint wherever we go with these materials that really don't break down in the environment.”

The survey project, which the researchers dubbed No Trace Trails, was supported by grant funding and financial backing through the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research in Long Beach via the Richard Lounsbery Foundation in Washington, D.C., and the American Alpine Club.

McGruer and Gustavus are putting together a research manuscript for peer review. They’re also seeking funds to help analyze the microplastic content of a series of soil samples they collected during their hike.

Sarah “Mountain Goat” Steinbauer from Austria hikes the Pacific Crest Trail near Quincy (Plumas County) on June 19, 2023. The heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada that year created special challenges for thru-hikers along the PCT. Brian Feulner / Special To The Chronicle

Credits

Reporting by Gregory Thomas. Reporting and graphics development by Harsha Devulapalli. Editing by Yoohyun Jung and Kate Galbraith. Design, development and illustration by Sophie D'Amato. Design editing by Alex K. Fong. Visuals editing by Ramin Rahimian. Powered by the Hearst Newspapers DevHub.

[cleanwaterchronicles]

EGLE announces seven grants to control or prevent nonpoint source pollution

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced today about $3.5 million in Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program grants. These funds will support seven projects that will prevent, reduce, or eliminate polluted runoff and other nonpoint sources of pollution.

The purpose of these grants is to implement priority recommendations in approved watershed management plans developed to restore impaired waters and protect high-quality waters by reducing NPS loads of sediment, nutrients, bacteria, and other contaminants. These Nonpoint Pollution Control grants are funded through the Renew Michigan Fund and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act. The projects recommended for funding will:

Address high levels of bacteria from human sources in the Middle Chippewa River watershed with an educational campaign for homeowners centered on the importance of septic system inspection and maintenance. The project will also implement a septic inspection program on tribal lands with cost share for repair or replacement.

Replace a misaligned and undersized road-stream crossing in the Grand Traverse Bay watershed, restoring natural flow and sediment transport protecting fish and wildlife in this high-quality watershed.

Implement agricultural best management practices and replace failing septic systems in the Mid-Shiawassee River, Sand Creek, and Crockery Creek watersheds to address sources of sediment, nutrient, and coli impairments.

Implement outreach and education efforts that will lead to installation of agricultural best management practices in the Paw Paw River watershed to address sources of sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus as well as reducing pathogens.

Protect approximately 130 acres in the Upper River Raisin watershed and 163 acres in the Augusta Creek watershed with water quality-based permanent conservation easements. Combined, these easements will protect over a mile of shoreline and over 100 acres of wetlands.

The following Michigan based organizations have been awarded funding:

Legacy Land Conservancy, Ann Arbor: $363,341

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, Galesburg: $424,645

Ottawa Conservation District, Grand Haven: $568,928

Isabella Conservation District, Mt. Pleasant: $335,000

Shiawassee Conservation District, Owosso: $594,083

Van Buren Conservation District, Paw Paw: $568,618

The Watershed Center, Traverse City: $591,047

A total of 27 applications requesting about $11 million were received in response to the request for proposals.

The grants are issued by EGLE's NPS Program, which helps local stakeholders reduce pollution and excess runoff by supporting efforts to develop and launch watershed management plans. The NPS Program typically issues three requests for proposals each year with the next available opportunities released over the next few months. They will be posted at Michigan.gov/NPS.

Source: EGLE Newsroom

[wayti-blog]

""The amount of kelp on the reef changes through time in a way where the peaks and low points in abundance across several kelp forests are matched together," said lead author Jonathan Walter, a senior researcher at the University of California, Davis, and its Center for Watershed Sciences. "That's what we refer to as synchrony. It is related to the ability of systems to persist in the face of changing environmental conditions. A little asynchrony allows systems to be resistant to fluctuations and therefore more stable."

The study uncovers the role of synchrony in the beach food web, with broader implications as the climate shifts in ways that might change how linked ecosystems perform their functions.

Revealing synchrony's role in these ecosystems fills a key knowledge gap in our understanding of the connection of reef and beach.

"The kelp forest and the beach are both highly dynamic ecosystems," said co-author Jenny Dugan, a coastal marine ecologist at UC Santa Barbara. "How the dynamics of those two ecosystems interact and behave is the key question here, especially with the beach system so dependent on the kelp forest.""

"Though a natural and ubiquitous phenomenon, synchrony and its implications are not yet fully understood."

continue reading article

[argyrocratie]

"Absent subsidized highways and car-centered zoning, the automobile would have remained a plaything for the rich; a cheap, stripped-down version might have served as well as a useful tool for niche markets (e.g. farmers) not served by the compact mixed-use communities that predated car culture.

In Illich’s view of things, it is the tools or technologies which precede the power structure, with the latter inevitably growing out of the former.

The truth is directly the opposite. Technology does not spontaneously proliferate like tribbles, absent the imposition of external bounds, until it spawns authoritarian bureaucracies. Rather, the technologies are imposed because they suit the needs of power structures. A technology, industry, or institution is able to grow beyond the second watershed and into the realm of negative returns, only because institutional power structures are able to internalize the benefits for themselves while externalizing the negative effects on a public to whom they are unaccountable.

“…O]nly within limits,” Illich says, “can machines take the place of slaves; beyond these limits they lead to a new kind of serfdom.”

Only within limits can education fit people into a man-made environment: beyond these limits lies the universal schoolhouse, hospital ward, or prison. Only within limits ought politics to be concerned with the distribution of maximum industrial outputs, rather than with equal inputs of either energy or information.[54]

This is true. But the necessary limits are not those imposed from without against technologies whose inherent nature — “excess efficiency” — causes them to otherwise grow without limit. The limits are those set by the people who experience both the benefits and negative consequences of the tools they adopt, when governance authority is vested directly in those who are affected by the policies of institutions and do their actual work rather than in an unaccountable hierarchy that serves its own interests or those of absentee rentiers."

-Kevin Carson, ”The Thought of Ivan Illich: A Libertarian Analysis“

[ancestorsalive]

Marija Gimbutas (1921-1994)

“Marija was the Professor Emeritus of Archaeology at UCLA, and contributed to what is considered to be one of the most significant academic watershed moments in women’s studies with her archeological and philosophical work on Neolithic culture and religion. A Lithuanian-American archeologist, she is best known for her research into the Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures of “Old Europe,” a term she introduced.

Old Europe and Eastern Europe referred to both the geographical area and social structures that existed before the Indo-European influence and were based on her work on the cross-disciplines of archaeological artifacts, linguistics, ethnography, and folklore that led her to posit the thesis that the European prehistoric culture was female-centered and worshiped a Mother Goddess as the giver of all life.

Gimbutas’ hypothesis that the Kurgan invasions brought an end to Old Europe and introduced new Indo-European languages to Europe was viewed with skepticism by many scholars in her time; in recent years her Kurgan theory was given support through advances in DNA testing.

In Gimbutas’ last book The Civilization of the Goddess, which synthesizes the work and theses of her previous books (Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe 1974/1982 and The Language of the Goddess 1989/1991), she wrote, “The primordial deity for our Paleolithic and Neolithic ancestors was female, reflecting the sovereignty of motherhood. In fact, there are no images found of any Father God throughout the prehistoric record.

Paleolithic and Neolithic symbols and images cluster around a self-generating Goddess and her basic functions as Giver-of-Life, Wielder-of-Death, and Regeneratrix.” Further Civilization of the Goddess Gimbutas outlines the symbolic understanding Old European societies had of the universe and the divine. She wrote, “The multiple categories, functions, and symbols used by prehistoric peoples to express the Great Mystery are all aspects of the unbroken unity of one deity, a Goddess who is ultimately Nature herself.” For a complete list of her publications see the Marija Gimbutas bibliography.

Her discoveries took on great symbolic importance for feminists across varied disciplines who found, in her vision of a peaceful, egalitarian, nature-revering society, a sense of hope for the future based on this foundation in the distant past. Unintended to her, Marija Gimbutas’ impact was so great that it reached beyond the scholarly community and helped fuel the women’s movement in society at large.

Though scholars on methodological and ideological grounds have challenged her work, this very work fueled the initial tangible, scientific, and material support for the hypotheses that cultures existed wherein patriarchy did not rule, war and violence were not assumed as a cultural norm, and that there were, in fact, egalitarian social structures. In honor of her contribution to the mutual enrichment of cultures for universal understanding and peace, UNESCO designated Gimbutas among its milestone anniversary commemorations for 2021 in observance of her centenary year.”

[stellanslashgeode]

🌹

I'll share a whole paragraph because it's of a piece. About a first date.

“Nope. We aren’t going to the museum, or the visitor’s center, or the gift shop. This is not an educational visit. We won’t be learning anything about watersheds, or the food pyramid, the history of the area, or the importance of wetlands remediation. We shall do our best to ignore all informational placards that shall line our path. This morning and afternoon are for the two of us, communing with nature, talking, and getting to know each other better. Sound good to you?”

[androsamo]

What is an Augmented Reality Sandbox?

What is an Augmented Reality Sandbox?

An augmented reality sandbox uses a real sandbox combined with a projector and a depth sensor to create interactive visualizations on the sand surface. Users can shape the sand to form various terrains, and the system responds by projecting colors, textures, and information onto the created landscape. This setup allows for an engaging exploration of concepts like elevation, drainage, and water flow.

Key Features of Augmented Reality Sandbox

Interactive Learning Experience The AR sandbox provides a hands-on learning experience, enabling users to physically manipulate the sand while simultaneously observing digital changes. This interactive approach fosters deeper understanding through active participation.

Real-Time Feedback Users receive instant visual feedback as they shape the sand. Changes in elevation result in different colors and animations, demonstrating how water flows across the terrain or how landscapes evolve over time.

Multisensory Engagement The combination of tactile interaction with sand and visual projections engages multiple senses, enhancing memory retention and comprehension. This multisensory approach caters to different learning styles.

Customizable Learning Scenarios Educators can tailor the AR sandbox to focus on specific learning objectives, whether teaching about watersheds, erosion, or environmental conservation. This versatility makes it suitable for various educational settings.

Encouragement of Creativity and Collaboration The sandbox allows for open-ended exploration, encouraging creativity as users experiment with different landforms. It also promotes collaboration, as multiple users can interact with the sandbox simultaneously, fostering teamwork and communication.

Applications of Augmented Reality Sandbox

Educational Institutions The AR sandbox is widely used in schools and universities to teach geography, earth sciences, and environmental studies. Its interactive nature helps students grasp complex concepts in an engaging manner.

Museums and Science Centers Many museums incorporate AR sandboxes into their exhibits, allowing visitors to engage with the content actively. This interactive experience enriches the visitor experience and makes learning about natural phenomena more accessible.

Community Workshops Community organizations can utilize AR sandboxes in workshops to educate the public about local geography, water management, and environmental conservation. This hands-on approach fosters community awareness and involvement.

Research and Environmental Studies Researchers can use AR sandboxes to model scenarios related to land use, erosion, and water flow. This practical application aids in understanding environmental dynamics and planning for sustainable development.

Conclusion

The augmented reality sandbox is revolutionizing the way we approach education and engagement with geographical concepts. By blending physical play with digital interactivity, it offers a unique platform for learning and exploration. To discover more about this innovative tool and its applications in educational settings, visit augmented reality sandbox.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Inside Climate News:

At the heart of the vast watershed that forms Florida’s fragile Everglades is Lake Okeechobee. A century ago the water of the state’s largest lake spilled effortlessly beyond its southern shore, flowing eventually into the sawgrass prairies of the river of grass.

Today the natural course of the water has been altered forever by some of the most complex water management infrastructure in the world. This infrastructure has drained the river of grass to a fraction of its former size and made modern Florida possible. A $21 billion federal and state restoration effort underway in the Everglades is among the most ambitious of its kind in human history.

A new plan for managing Lake Okeechobee is aimed at recapturing some of this drained water and restoring a more natural flow throughout the watershed, two objectives that, if achieved, could help alleviate yet another prominent environmental problem facing the state: toxic algae.

The Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM), implemented earlier this month, represents a significant shift in the lake’s management. Coming after a recent restoration of the 143-mile earthen dike encircling the lake, the plan is designed to more equitably balance the needs of the watershed and stakeholders tied to it, rather than prioritizing flood control above all else, said Tim Gysan, LOSOM project manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“At some point most Floridians are touched by water that moves through Lake Okeechobee,” he said. “The management of Lake Okeechobee is very important.”

The 730-square-mile lake is situated near the center of the watershed that encompasses much of the peninsula, beginning in central Florida at the headwaters of the meandering Kissimmee River. The watershed also includes the sawgrass marshes south of the lake and Florida Bay, at the peninsula’s southernmost tip. Today some 2,200 miles of canals, 2,100 miles of levees and berms, 84 pump stations and 778 water control structures sustain the river of grass, which is responsible for the drinking water of some 9 million Floridians.

Notably, the new lake plan likely will bring some relief from the toxic algae that has gripped the peninsula during the past several years by addressing one of the biggest problems hindering the natural course of water in the Everglades: releases from Lake Okeechobee in an unnatural pattern east and west rather than south, as the water once flowed.

The noxious blooms have choked rivers, sullied beaches, sickened Floridians and left wildlife belly-up. The discharges were necessary during times of high water to protect the aging dike surrounding the lake, but the releases threaten the delicate estuaries on either side of the lake and, during the summer months, can spread toxic algae. Because the algae thrive in warm temperatures, the problem is poised to get worse as the global climate warms.

Now that a $1.8 billion rehabilitation of the dike is complete, the Army Corps will have more flexibility to hold more water in the lake, reducing the harmful discharges. It is the first time a lake plan has acknowledged the risk of toxic algae or recognized the need to send more water south for the Everglades, said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, an advocacy group. Her group said the plan allows for releases when the lake level climbs above 16.5 to 17 feet.

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Journal 3- Six Miles Cypress Slough

My learning experience from our field trip was cool and unique. I learned that our environment is not only important for the wildlife but for us humans as well. The video shows how important it is for humans to go out and see nature such as animals, the environment itself and learn about it and the effects it has on our environment in a sustainable matter. Not many people in this world get to see how beautiful the world is outside of a TV/video, so going out themselves to witness and experience the animals, nature, etc. is an experience that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Six Miles Cypress Slough has some nice spots to see first was the interpretive center. Section one consisted of three spots which are the six mile cypress slough interpretive center, young cypress swamp and gator lake shelter. Starting off with the first, the interpretive center. It is a green building and it has achieved LEED Silver Certification. The center’s construction incorporated a number of green initiatives that helped achieve Silver Certification. The building is located on old roadbed. Boardwalk around the center is made of reclaimed wood such as shipping pallets and recycled plastic. Rainwater is collected in cisterns and used in facility’s toilets. The young cypress swamp is a slough it is 11 miles long and 1/3 miles wide. The cypress trees are adapted to survive flooded conditions for a long time. The wide base of the tree is buttressing. The amount of water underneath the boardwalk depends on wet or dry season. The Gator lake shelter is man-made lake. It was created when its limestone was mined to build the foundation for the road. Even during dry season the lake retains water, that attract alligators and other wildlife creatures.

The 2nd section consisted of the shortcut intersection and wood duck pond. Starting off with the shortcut intersection. It is where cypress trees become dominant and the laurel oaks where those tolerate wetter soils than pines. The elevation drops further and the area is an ecotone. That is wear you can see air plants that look like pineapple tops, they are considered cousins. Air plants are epiphytes but parasites. The wood duck pond has 2 other trees species which are pond apple and pop ash are both native tree species that are adapted to growing in flooded swamp soils. Those trees are deciduous. Those trees help ring ponds create important nesting habitat for wading bird populations. The water that flows beneath the trees protects eggs and nesting from many creatures that would otherwise prey them. Fishes are often seen in that pond.

The 3rd section consisted of shelter and the otter pond. The shelter is where the slough drains a 33-square mile watershed and during the wet season holds 2-3 feet deep. That means the slough is important for water storage and flood protection. The wetlands are important for aquifer recharge. The slough is important for water purification since the plants that grow help slow the water down which helps the water that leaves the slough make it cleaner than the water that came in previously. The otter pond is where otters are often seen. They prefer fresh water and live in burrows that they often dig themselves in. The rainwater percolates down the limestone aquifers, fire can create ponds and the alligators maintain ponds.

The 4th section consisted of another shelter and pop ash pond. This shelter consists of a thick understory of vegetation which is higher level of elevation which means it is flooded for shorter periods of time. That helps plants grow easily. Resurrection ferns grow on the upper surface of branches of the trees that grow on swamps. Splotches are seen on the trees which are blood lichen. The pop ash pond is a good place to look for flowing water. You can see rare Florida rapids. Cypress knees are sticking up out of the water. It helps with giving stability in the soft shifting soils of the flooded swamp. The knees are extensions of the trees’ underground root systems.

The significance of the preservation of the slough of the region is important because it has a big impact through its environment, the nature itself, living organisms and the animals. The threats can be pollution, development of cities, climate change, invasive species, drainage and water diversion.

This trip helps with understanding sense of place, ecological imprint and sustainability because they all go hand to hand with each other. This is sense of place not only for us humans but the environment itself because this is where there connections are stored. This place helps with sustainability for both nature and animals and keeping it away from it threats will help it be sustainable for as long as it can be. As long as it avoids the threats that can’t be controlled. At the end lf the day its up to us as people to find with that sustainability.

The trip connects to sdg 14 “life below water” and sdg 15 “life on land” because the life below water are animals like fishes, otters, gators, plants and other living organisms and it is important for us not to damage their sense of place because it has an impact to where they live and spend there time. The life of land is us people and trees, plants, etc. making sure we are doing the right things to keep the environment clean and sustainable for as long as possible.

[philosocom]

Unraveling the Minds of Known Philosophers.

Introduction:

Philosophers have braided delicate strands of knowledge, insight, and reflection throughout human history. From ancient Greek sages to contemporary thinkers, the search of wisdom and enlightenment has been an ongoing effort. This investigation of well-known philosophers takes us on a trip through time and thought, diving into the deep thoughts and lasting legacies of some of history's most significant thinkers. Each philosopher provides a distinct viewpoint on basic concerns about existence, morality, knowledge, and society, encouraging us to participate in critical thinking and philosophical research. Their teachings and works reveal timeless truths and provide greater insights into the intricacies of the human predicament.

Aristotle: the master of virtue ethics.

Aristotle, the famed philosopher of ancient Greece, is regarded as the master of virtue ethics, having made an unmistakable imprint on the landscape of moral philosophy. Aristotle was born in Stagira in 384 BCE, and his intellectual brilliance and unquenchable curiosity led him to become Plato's pupil and Alexander the Great's tutor. At the center of Aristotle's ethical framework is the notion of eudaimonia, or human flourishing, which is accomplished by cultivating virtuous character qualities. His teachings highlight the value of balance, bravery, knowledge, and justice in directing ethical behavior and living a fulfilling life. Aristotle's fundamental writings, such as the *Nicomachean Ethics*, continue to inspire generations with their deep insights into the nature of morality and human perfection.

Life and Legacy of Aristotle

The life and legacy of Aristotle, one of history's most significant thinkers, unfold in the context of ancient Greece. Aristotle, born in 384 BCE in the Macedonian city of Stagira, set off on an extraordinary intellectual odyssey that would affect Western thinking for decades. As a Plato student at the Academy in Athens, Aristotle studied metaphysics, ethics, politics, biology, and logic. His unquenchable hunger for information and strong observational abilities gained him the moniker "The Philosopher" among his contemporaries. After separating from Plato, Aristotle established his own school, the Lyceum, where he taught and performed pioneering research until his death in 322 BCE. Aristotle's lasting legacy includes not only his extensive corpus of works, but also his tremendous effect on future generations of philosophers, scientists, and intellectuals. Aristotle's methodical approach to inquiry and devotion to empirical observation established the groundwork for subjects ranging from biology and physics to ethics and political philosophy, leaving an everlasting effect on human intellectual history.

Virtue Ethics: Identifying Moral Excellence

Aristotle's virtue ethics provides a persuasive approach to moral philosophy that is oriented on the quest of moral perfection and human well-being. Virtue ethics is based on the notion of eudaimonia, or living a full and virtuous life. It emphasizes fostering character attributes that contribute to ethical action and personal happiness. Unlike deontological or consequentialist ethical theories, which concentrate on rules or consequences, virtue ethics emphasizes the cultivation of virtuous characteristics such as bravery, knowledge, temperance, and justice. By attempting to embody these characteristics in our acts and choices, we not only improve our personal well-being but also contribute to the betterment of society. Virtue ethics challenges us to consider who we want to be and to create outstanding behaviors that will lead to a life of moral integrity and satisfaction.

Immanuel Kant, the Champion of Enlightenment Reason

Kant’s Philosophical Revolution

Kant's philosophical revolution was a watershed point in the history of thinking, ushering in the age of Enlightenment rationality and greatly influencing future philosophical debate. Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher born in 1724, questioned conventional wisdom about knowledge, morality, and human nature in his seminal book, the "Critique of Pure Reason." Kant's foundational book attempted to combine empiricism and rationalism while criticizing the limits of human knowledge. Kant's philosophy revolves on the categorical imperative, a universal ethical principle based on reason and autonomy. This groundbreaking theory states that moral responsibilities are derived from the rational will, regardless of circumstantial wants or external authority. Kant's philosophical revolution altered the course of ethics and epistemology, setting the framework for modern thinking and defining our view of human liberty, dignity, and responsibility.

Categorical Imperative: Moral Law Within

Kant's moral theory stresses rational humans' intrinsic dignity and the need of fulfilling moral duties. The categorical imperative requires us to respect people as ends in themselves, rather than as means to a goal. Friedrich Nietzsche: The Prophet of Nihilism, Beyond Nietzsche's Existential Rebellion Friedrich Nietzsche attacked traditional morals and religious beliefs, announcing God's death and calling for an acceptance of life's intrinsic meaninglessness. His existentialist ideology values individualism, creativity, and the desire for power. Übermensch: Beyond Good and Evil The idea of the Übermensch, or Superman, is central to Nietzsche's thinking, since he transcends traditional moral concepts and embraces the whole range of human potential. Individuals exercise their autonomy and construct their own futures by overcoming obstacles and expressing themselves creatively. Simone de Beauvoir is the voice of feminist existentialism. Beauvoir’s Feminist Awakening Simone de Beauvoir's seminal book *The Second Sex* questioned patriarchal standards and fought for women's emancipation. As an important figure in existentialism, she investigated the complications of freedom, oppression, and authenticity. The ethics of ambiguity: embracing freedom Beauvoir's concept of ambiguity acknowledges the underlying contradiction between freedom and responsibility, autonomy and dependency. Individuals exercise their agency and build their own paths in a contradictory environment by embracing existence's ambiguity.

FAQ

Q: What is the point of studying famous philosophers?

A: Studying well-known philosophers helps us to explore timeless concerns like the nature of life, morality, and knowing. Their findings give significant views on the human condition, as well as a framework for critical thought and self-reflection.

Q: How might the theories of famous thinkers be used in daily life?

A: The ideologies of well-known philosophers may help us make ethical decisions, motivate personal development, and gain a better knowledge of ourselves and our surroundings. By debating their beliefs, we foster intellectual curiosity and empathy for opposing viewpoints.

Q: Are there any current philosophers who still influence philosophical discourse?

A: Absolutely! Today's philosophers, like Martha Nussbaum, Slavoj Žižek, and Judith Butler, tackle vital topics including social justice, globalization, and the meaning of reality.

Calculations

Calculations are the foundation of many disciplines, helping Problem Solving, analysis, and decision-making processes. Calculations allow us to measure, anticipate, and comprehend our surroundings in fields such as mathematics, physics, economics, and engineering. From estimating a spacecraft's trajectory to selecting the best investment plan, the ability to do precise calculations is critical for growth and innovation. We identify trends, get insights, and make educated decisions by manipulating numbers, equations, and algorithms. Calculations help us understand difficult challenges, maximize results, and use the power of data-driven decision-making. In a quickly changing world driven by technology and information, calculating skills are essential for success and growth.

[kumarumang5566]

Community Services and Volunteer Opportunities in Moses Lake, Washington.

Moses Lake, Washington, nestled in the heart of the Columbia Basin, is a vibrant community known for its scenic beauty and welcoming atmosphere. Beyond its natural allure, the city boasts a rich array of community services and volunteer opportunities, which contribute significantly to the well-being and cohesion of its residents. Engaging in these opportunities not only enriches the lives of volunteers but also helps to build a stronger, more connected community. Here, we explore some of the key community services and volunteer opportunities available in Moses Lake, Washington.

Community Services

1. Health and Wellness Services

Moses Lake is home to various organizations dedicated to improving health and wellness. Samaritan Healthcare is a cornerstone, providing comprehensive medical services, including emergency care, surgery, and family medicine. The Moses Lake Community Health Center offers essential services such as dental care, behavioral health support, and primary care, ensuring that even the underserved populations have access to necessary medical care.

Mental health services are also prioritized. Grant Integrated Services provides critical mental health and substance use treatment services, supporting individuals and families in overcoming challenges and fostering healthier lifestyles.

2. Educational Services

Education is a focal point in Moses Lake, with numerous resources available to support lifelong learning. The North Central Regional Library system, with its branch in Moses Lake, offers extensive programs for all ages, from early literacy initiatives to adult education and digital literacy classes. These programs aim to bridge the education gap and provide resources for personal and professional development.

The Big Bend Community College (BBCC) serves as a hub for higher education and vocational training. BBCC offers various degree programs, continuing education courses, and community workshops, fostering a culture of learning and skill development in the region.

3. Social and Family Services

Several organizations in Moses Lake focus on supporting families and individuals in need. The Moses Lake Food Bank, operated by the Community Services of Moses Lake, is a vital resource, providing food assistance to thousands of local residents. Additionally, programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) offer nutritional support to vulnerable populations.

The Youth Dynamics Moses Lake chapter engages with at-risk youth through mentorship and outdoor adventure programs, aiming to inspire and empower young people. Similarly, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin offer after-school programs, summer camps, and educational support, providing a safe and nurturing environment for children and teenagers.

Volunteer Opportunities

1. Healthcare Volunteering

Volunteering in healthcare settings is a significant way to contribute to the community. Samaritan Healthcare welcomes volunteers in various roles, from assisting in patient care areas to supporting administrative functions. Volunteers can engage in activities like reading to patients, escorting them to appointments, and helping with events, thereby enhancing the patient experience.

2. Environmental Stewardship

Moses Lake’s natural beauty is preserved and enhanced through the efforts of environmental volunteers. The Moses Lake Watershed Council organizes clean-up events, water quality monitoring, and educational programs aimed at protecting and restoring the local watershed. Volunteers play a crucial role in these initiatives, participating in hands-on activities that have a direct impact on the environment.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission also offers volunteer opportunities at the nearby Potholes State Park. Volunteers can assist with park maintenance, trail restoration, and visitor services, contributing to the preservation of this natural treasure.

3. Educational and Youth Programs

Volunteering in educational settings provides a profound impact on the community. The North Central Regional Library system relies on volunteers for various tasks, including assisting with reading programs, helping organize events, and providing technical support for library patrons.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin and Youth Dynamics offer volunteer opportunities for those passionate about working with youth. Volunteers can serve as mentors, tutors, or activity coordinators, helping to create a positive and supportive environment for young people.

4. Social Services and Food Assistance

Organizations like the Moses Lake Food Bank and the Community Services of Moses Lake depend on volunteers to operate efficiently. Volunteers can help sort and distribute food, assist with fundraising events, and support administrative tasks. These efforts are essential in ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the assistance they need.

Additionally, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake provides opportunities for volunteers to participate in home-building projects, helping to provide affordable housing for families in need. Volunteers can engage in construction, fundraising, and community outreach efforts.

Conclusion

Moses Lake, Washington, is a community that thrives on the spirit of service and volunteerism. The extensive range of community services ensures that residents have access to essential resources, while volunteer opportunities offer individuals the chance to make meaningful contributions. Whether it’s through healthcare, environmental stewardship, education, or social services, every act of volunteerism strengthens the fabric of the community, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. For those looking to make a difference, Moses Lake provides a welcoming and rewarding environment to get involved and give back.