Sunday, November 12, 2006
8-3

Improving Environmental Awareness and Preservation in Our Community, Crop , Soil, and Environmental Sciences Club, Univ of Arkansas.

Aaron Daigh, Univ of Arkansas, 13116 Reed Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72704

The University of Arkansas Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences (CSES) Club promotes community-wide environmental awareness and preservation through street cleanups, restoration of an adopted urban wetland, and participation in activities related to water quality. Providing these services enables students to take pride in volunteer work, while educating the public and encouraging teamwork among members. Club members also benefit from new and lasting friendships formed as they become more aware of local environmental issues. The club participates in Fayetteville’s Adopt-a-Street program by hosting semester street cleanups as part of the Keeping Fayetteville Beautiful campaign. As part of the Adopt-a-Park program, the club has continued an ongoing wetland restoration with the goal of removing invasive vegetation and replacing it with wetland-friendly native species that also support wildlife habitat. The club is currently working on the design of an educational sign to be posted at the wetland. The sign will serve to educate residents of the benefits and value of protecting and maintaining urban wetlands. Along with an associate of Audubon Arkansas, students spray-painted stencils of “Dump No Waste” on drains that divert street and campus runoff directly into a creek. Another club team measured water clarity and collected water samples for Audubon Arkansas and the Beaver Water District during Secchi Day on Beaver Lake. Beaver Lake provides the drinking water for Northwest Arkansas. The club’s next endeavor is to adopt a local stream as another component of supporting natural resources in the area. The CSES Club activities develop members’ awareness and establish organized efforts to keep our community clean, beautiful, and educated about its environmental well-being.