Stone Fund Grant Application for Habitat Enhancement and Community Education of the Davidson College Ecological Preserve
David Stroupe ‘02, J.D. Willson ‘02, and Kristine Grayson ‘03
10/01/01
As the three members of the Davidson College Herpetology Lab, we are proposing to conduct habitat enrichment activities on the Davidson College Ecological Preserve (DCEP). Established during the spring of 2001, the DCEP encompasses approximately seventy acres of land, and includes a variety of habitats such as creeks, forests, and open fields in the area traditionally referred to as the “cross country trails”. Both the Davidson College community and the Davidson Community in general use the DCEP extensively for exercise, nature activities, and overall natural experiences. The Biology Department at Davidson has compiled extensive lists of the different plant, amphibian and reptile, bird, and mammal life that have been found and could potentially occur on the Preserve. The amount of biodiversity is astounding, and there are still many species that we have yet to discover on the Preserve.
We have been involved with projects involving amphibian and reptile research since arriving at Davidson. This past year, all three of us conducted research projects on amphibians and reptiles through the Herpetology Laboratory in the Biology Department. J.D. studied the effects of habitat destruction on stream salamander populations, David conducted a herpetological biodiversity study on a conservation easement in Huntersville, and Kristine examined the metabolic rate of Chacoan horned frogs based on diet type. We all have considerable field experience and have worked extensively on the DCEP. Currently, we all work with Dr. Mike Dorcas in the Herpetology Lab on various research projects on amphibians and reptiles.
All of our research and findings have benefited the Davidson Biology department in many ways. In order to spread the message of conservation, we must move beyond the Biology department and into the community. We feel that conservation through hands-on education is the key to understanding the complex and amazing world around us. Using the idea of hands-on education, we plan to involve the Davidson community in the habitat enhancement by encouraging them to participate in our activities.
The first main project we will attempt will be to enhance the DCEP by constructing temporary wetlands on the Preserve. We have documented several species of salamanders that must breed in temporary wetlands to survive. Temporary wetlands represent a habitat no longer found on the DCEP, yet there are many species of amphibians and reptiles that would benefit greatly from having wetlands available. Ideally, we propose to eliminate the large kudzu that has taken control of many parts of the forests, and use the space for wetlands. We have begun discussions with the Davidson College Physical Plant and the Catawba Lands Conservancy to determine how best to proceed. Once the wetlands are created, we will begin to monitor colonization of the wetlands and will begin studies such as monitoring amphibian populations and turtle reproduction in addition to many other herpetological projects.
Documenting the amphibian and reptile diversity on the DCEP is another important project we would like to continue. Documentation is an ongoing project, which started in 1998 with the creation of a drift fence on the future site of the DCEP. There have been many controversies lately in the town of Davidson regarding land rights and private property ownership. With towns and cities like Davidson expanding rapidly, thus destroying forests and other important habitats, our study is very important because we can track animal movement and see how outside forces such as construction are impacting the wildlife. We aim to increase community awareness as to the importance of maintaining such ecosystems. One of the major avenues for education about the importance of amphibians and reptiles is via events to which the public is invited.
Earlier this year, the Herpetology Laboratory hosted, along with the Catawba Lands Conservancy an event called Reptile Day. Reptile day was sponsored by CCARI (Central Carolina Amphibian and Reptile Initiative), of which we are all active members. The day consisted of nearly 200 children and adults attending talks, demonstrations, and even seeing and holding live amphibians and reptiles. Due to the success of Reptile Day this Fall, we plan to invite the Davidson Community to attend a Reptile Day specifically about the amphibians and reptiles they can find here in Davidson. The Reptile Day would be cosponsored by both CCARI and by PARC (Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation).
Education is the most important tool we can provide for the future of our planet. We feel that by involving the Davidson community in our various projects, they will gain a better understanding of the flora and fauna around them. Once people realize that they share an ecosystem with many other organisms, we hope they will want to do more to protect what is there. All of our projects will require help from the Davidson community. We hope to increase involvement through CCARI. Our overall goal is to use our resources to fund both Davidson College Biology studies, and to ensure that the Davidson community both helps with, and maintains the Davidson College Ecological Preserve.
In order to achieve these goals, we need the means to investigate the feasibility of habitat enrichment on the preserve. Primarily, this will include data for Geographical Information Systems with which we can model the best places for habitat enrichment. We hope to increase the outreach power of CCARI through better communication with the community, more educational materials, and the ability to plan more programs and activities – specifically, the CCARI brochure. JD Willson and David Stroupe will participate in this project until the end of the spring semester next year and Kristine Grayson plans to stay on the project throughout the summer months and continue into her senior year, involving other students in continuing the monitoring and improvement of the DCEP for the betterment of the Davidson Community.