Service Learning IND 209
By: Matt Ellis, Danielle Majchrzak, and Trish Slawiak
EcotrailWhat We Did to
Contribute:Cleaned up garbage
and glassRaked LeavesMoved Tree Logs and
Stones to Form TrailCompost Pile Vinyl Signs
EcotrailPurpose:Place for people to relax,
study, or gather in small learning groups
Place where nature is educational and students can learn about eco- friendly ideas for the environment (exp. compost pile, living roof, & rain gutters)
Ecotrail
Wildlife is welcome because they like to eat here & it’s safe
Bird fell from nest story
Environmental SummitContributions:Set up tables for
presentersHelped presenters
set up and obtain what they need
Recycled electronics & helped unload contributors’ cars
Environmental SummitRecycled:Computers,
monitors, keyboards, VCR players, cells phones& mice
Surprised that there was new technology and fully functional products being recycled as well (exp. Mac)
Environmental SummitWhy Recycle?There are many
materials in technology products, especially cell phones, we can renew
Bad to pollute the Earth and harmful for us if it is put in a landfill due to chemicals
WeatherizationLearned How To:Installed incandescent light bulbs
& carbon monoxide detectorCaulk Weather strip or covers for windows & doorsInsulate pipes Different programs such as WAP (Weatherization
Assistance Program) & HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)
Programs assist income eligible individuals by reducing their heating or cooling costs and improving the energy efficiency of their homes safely
WeatherizationWhy Important Experience:Learn to work with different groups of peopleKeep heat inside the house and eliminate
drafts Learn about future decisions : how to save
money on utility bills and save energy in homes which is better for long term
WeatherizationEmotional Stories:1st house: elder couple2nd house: grandma with asthma and
granddaughter3rd house: elder lady without a leg4th house: young nurse with her son
City HonorsLearned at Lot and on Walk:How to work together with
many different people as a team and we can make a difference
People are trying to help by participating in lending a hand or creating their own gardens
Should maintain old houses instead of build new ones (last longer)
City HonorsBefore Pictures:What was necessary:Had to create a better setting
from an abandoned area where people could comfortably relax
The school can even use this area in order to educate small groups of students
The area would be welcome to everyone and is a good use of space
City HonorsContributions:•Pulled weeds•Shoveled dirt, mulch, or stones for wheel barrel•Planted flowers, trees, & strawberries•Potato sacks by sidewalk in order to plant new grass
City HonorsFinal Outcome:There is a stone pathway
to walk onTrees and flowers are
planted in the mulchStrawberries were plantedArea looks great and has a
positive impact on the community
Inspires people to make a difference
Hospital LotLearned: Cultivated crops and
eliminate weedsPurpose:Cheap, efficient way
to grow crops for the surrounding community and nearby hospital
Future IdeasEveryone should
participate in activities in order to make the society the best place possible
Participate in local events and buy from local markets when possible
Use public transportationRecycle and practice ways
to save energy as much as possible
Future IdeasCreate own gardenHave smaller houses &
familiesShop less & consume
less materials in order to save materials
Ideas for campus sustainability & future trail development:
Campus:Better pathway between Wick &
Duns Scotus (a cover to protect people from bad weather such as wind rain or snow & decrease unsafe jaywalking)
Decorate the wall of the door of D.S. (vines or flowers)
Trail:Artistic bridge to get across the
creek instead of stonesMore distinct entrances More informational research
ConclusionThe problems that we faced included finding
affordable ways for people to change their lifestyle that would conserve energy and better the environment as a whole. Also, instead of wasting resources or materials, we would find useful ways to utilize them, as opposed to throwing them away (dumpster diving/ signs/ benches etc.)
However, we feel that we had a positive impact on the community throughout all of these activities and we realized that if everyone worked together we can make the community more eco friendly and can solve urban and environmental issues one step at a time