watershed ed, trees and mwees (meaningful watershed educational experiences) using i-tree design
DESCRIPTION
This presentation shows studying trees can contribute to meaningful watershed educational experiences. Using the i-Tree Design, a free, online tool to make simple estimations of benefits that trees provide: CO2 mitigation, air quality effects, stormwater interception, plus evaluating tree effects on a nearby building's energy use. Ideas are given for STEM and service learning extensionsTRANSCRIPT
Watershed Ed:Trees and MWEEs*
Using i-Tree Design in Schools
Mary Van DykeUrban Forestry Roundtable
2014
*Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences
My Story
• History• What is a MWEE?• Community Partners and Logistics• Day 1 – Build Relationships• Day 2 – Our Tree and i-Tree• Day 3 – Trees in the Ecosystem• Stewardship and STEM Extensions • Resources: http://goo.gl/GuX5f
Trees and MWEEs
History
• Jeff Kirwan• Project Learning Tree• i-Tree
History
What is a MWEE?• Investigative or project oriented• Richly structured and based on
high-quality instructional design• Integral part of the instructional
program• Part of a sustained activity• Consider watershed as a system• Involve external sharing and
communication• Enhanced by natural resources
personnel, community partners• For all students
Community Partners
Logistics for Tree StudyCosts and Materials Minimal Investment• Tree ID books• Tapes• Cameras• Computers
Class Time• 3 Sessions
for Initial Study
When• Late March to October
Tools
Risk and Plan B
Accessibility
Language
Day 1- Build Relationships
• Introduce Community Partners
• My Favorite Tree
• Goods From the Woods
• Tree Biology
My Favorite Tree
Trees Give Us Many Things
By Rudy Wendelin, Courtesy of US Forest Service
Goods from the Woods
Tree Functions
How Does a Tree Work?
Every Log Tells a Story…
Ecosystems
Day 2 – Our Tree and i-Tree
• Choose and Identify a Tree
• Tree Health Assessment
• Use i-Tree Designhttp://www.itreetools.org/design.php
• Monetize the Tree’sEcosystem Services
Tree Benefitso Stormwater Runoff Reduction
o Energy Consumption
o Air Quality
o CO2 Sequestration
o Wildlife Habitat Value
o Social Value
o Property Value
o Timber Value
1. Where are you? Type in your street address
i-Tree Design in 4 Easy Steps
2. Draw the outline of building of interest (house, school etc)
Add approx. building date
i-Tree Design is a free online tool at www.itreetools.org/design.
3. Add in your tree’s data: - Species - Circumference or diameter - Health condition - Exposure to sunlightPlace your tree on the map
Repeat with other trees
4. Estimate current and future tree benefits
i-Tree Design in 4 Easy Steps
e.g. Dissolved Oxygen Project, at Gunston Middle School
$$ Tree BenefitsGunston Middle School
2700 S Lang Street Arlington 22207Tree Benefits calculated using i-Tree Design
Tree # Species
Circumference at Breast Height, inches
ConditionExcellent, Good, Fair, Poor , Dead or Dying
$$ Overall Annual Benefit calculated byi-Tree Design
1Cherry Tree, Kwanzaan 34 Poor $7.80
2Loblolly Pine on bank 64 Good $61.30
3White Pine on median 49 Excellent $37.44
4 Oak #1 73 Fair $74.29
6th Grade Team at Gunston Middle School
Comparisons
Cherry, Kwanzan Cherry, Kwanzan Pine, Eastern White
Pine, Eastern White
Condition Poor Excellent Excellent Excellent
Circumference 34” 34” 34” 49”
Diameter 10.8” 10.8” 10.8” 15.6”
Total Benefits $ 7.80 $ 13.12 $ 18.55 $ 37.44
Stormwater Intercepted
525 gallons 807 gallons 1232 gallons 2582 gallons
CO2 reduction 115 pounds 230 pounds 213 pounds 399 pounds
6th Grade Team at Gunston Middle School
Day 3 – Ecosystems
• Appreciation• Design• Stewardship
Day 3 - APS GreenScene Video
http://bcove.me/knbdlll8
Stewardship
STEM Extensions
Animation of tree growth
Earth Force/Caring For Our Watersheds - Process
BUILD CommunityFunding, Outreach and Media
MAP
PULL Invasives
PROPOSE a NO IVY DAY
PLANT for Pollinators
PICK UP Litter
MAKE Tree Tags
Use i-Tree Design to Assess Impact Value for 1-99 years
• Project Goal includes: Plant 15 Trees along a Potomac Stream Buffer
• Impact Value: $200,000+ benefits over next 99 years• Huge impact, low cost
e.g. Dissolved Oxygen Project at George Washington Middle School
Use i-Tree Design to Budget and Market
e.g. Dissolved Oxygen Project at George Washington Middle School
The BIG Picture
Resources: http://goo.gl/GuX5fIncludes Gunston Middle School Project: Planning Documents and Spanish/English Worksheets http://goo.gl/qNsr5a
Thank You!
• Arlington Public Schools• Gunston Middle School• Arlington Traditional
School• Tuckahoe Elementary
School• Alexandria Public Schools
• George Washington Middle School
• Virginia Cooperative Extension • 4-H• Master Gardeners• Arlington Regional Master
Naturalists• Tree Stewards Arlington Alexandria• Arlington County• Casey Trees• Earth Force• i-Tree