We had a community service experience in Monte Verde. In this week-long trip, I realized with several companions, two activities to help the community. The first activity was to plant stakes to help preserve and create the Three-Wattled Bell Bird biological corridor. This is for creating live fences in which animals may move easily from one patch of forest to another. For this, we needed to plant estacones. To plant them, we first had to walk a mile until you reach the place designated for planting. Being there, we split shovels and each picked a piece of land located along the fence to start making the holes for the trees. These should have had the depth of a shovel for the estacones not to fall because of their weight. In each hole, we placed an estacón between two feet and eight feet. Then, we refilled the hole with the dirt we had previously taken out and as we were filling it, another person, with a piece of wood, was compressing the soil to keep the estacón in place. Then someone came to tie with a piece of rope, the estacón to the barbed wire fence. This was to prevent the estacón from growing crooked and also out of place. This process is continued for several hours until it was time to finish the job and then leave. It was really hard work but it was to help the animals that lived in the biological corridor. The second activity in the Monte Verde field-trip was a day in the morning in which we went into the forest to look for different seeds to plant in the nursery. This process only took about two hours and after that we went to the nursery. We filled bags with dirt so that afterwards, the man in charge of the nursery could plat the seeds. Then we help each and everyone to put the bags in order in which they corresponded according to the man. Our greatest achievement was to help the animals that inhabit the Bell Bird biological corridor. This is because we helped create live fences by which animals can move easily from one place to another without being in danger because a car can override them or because of other circumstances.
CONCLUSION
Understanding biodiversity has changed me in several ways. It has helped me realize its importance. Knowing about different species is very important knowledge for all of us. Also that we need to protect it because every day, more and more species are endangered and if we continue that way, we will end up loosing them. We need to start becoming conscious of our acts and that every day we are destroying nature and different organisms. If we understand biodiversity, we also understand its need to us and that we really need to protect them. Also, many of the elements of nature are essential for us to live and because of that, we really need to protect them. Something else I learned was how to use different indexes to know how diverse an area is. With these indexes, it is easier to identify species in the designated areas.
Karolina Koberg
REFLECTION
For this year’s service learning, we went to Monte Verde for one week. Through out the week, we did different activities, including labs, workshops and service learning activities. The service learning part of the field trip, was divided into two sections. The first section, was going to plant “estacones”. While doing this, we were helping the UGA to built part of the biological corridor. We planted estacones for five. Under the sun, working hard we planted about 80 estacones. The second activity was one activity divided into several mini activities. We went to the ”vivero” for several hours. Over there, I did two jobs. First, we helped put fertilized soil into bags. We did so then it was easier for the people that worked at the university to plant seeds. Before doing this, the soil had to be first cleaned. That’s what the other job was. I had to clean the soil by shaking it in top of a special material. This was to take the rocks out and then the soil would be easier to put in bags. CONCLUSION Before going to this field trip, I was a completely diferent person. I knew about nature, but I did not know as much as what I learned. The most important thing that I learned was that helping the enviorment wasn’t only helping the enviorment. It was helping each person on earth to have a healthier life. This service learning experience changed me in various ways. Now each time I have a plastic bottle I know I have to recycle it. Each time I see energy being wasted unnecessarily I turn it Off. Most importantly, I learned what working with nature was and what helping the environment felt like.
Jimena González
REFLECTION
During this year, our whole generation traveled for one week to The University of Georgia's Monteverde Campus. In here, we were able to participate in a new and completely different community service experience. We were all able to cooperate along with the Monteverde community and help create this environment a better place. We first had to plant stakes in order to create a 'live fence'. This work was extremely tiring and demanded long hours of work under the hot sun, but once we finished and looked back at the final result, it was all worth it. We had to walk for a very long distance while carrying bags, shovels, gloves, snacks, everything being something we would have to carry back at the end of the work when we were really tired. Once we finally got to the place were the fence had to be raised, many of us were tired already, and most weren't truly motivated to work, we were mostly doing it because it was demanded from us, not out of want. We paired up and began the digging. They explained to us just how the process had to take place, all this while waiting under the sun. Digging was a very demanding work, and planting the stakes in and burying them once again took most (if not all) of our time. Nevertheless, once we were finally done and laid back to take a break, many of us wanted to keep going and finish the fence ourselves! When we finally saw what we'd been able to do -all by ourselves- the satisfaction was huge. We'd helped create a fence which wouldn't damage the environment and which would actually help the different species from Monteverde to find shelter and move from one place to another more easily. It was all worth it in the end.
CONCLUSION
Helping make a change really changes someone. When I realized the thorough work we'd accomplished by ourselves, and just how crucial it was for the community of Monteverde, I figured out that even though many of us didn't want to go in the first place, it was all worth it in the end. Without the opportunity our school made us take advantage of, I never would've learned the importance of helping the environment in ways that won't damage it but will aid the community. Now, every time I see new generations being born, I know that there's hope for them. We all helped to give Earth a breath from what our society has turned into, and we were able to truly make something that will make the world a better place for our future generation. Thanks to our school's initiative to make us help Monteverde in this way, I grew as a person and am now much more aware of just ho important it is to take care of our planet and give Earth a breath every once in a while.
Daniel Majluf
REFLECTION
This year we had a completely different opportunity for service learning. We participated in a week-long field trip to Monteverde. While having deep studies of biodiversity and science, we also collaborated helping the environment as our service learning project. For the first part of the project, we all had to plant estacones to build a completely natural fence in the UGA campus. By doing this, we built a necessary fence without polluting the environment at all. By using fallen trees (natural resources) instead of contaminating materials such as metals or aluminum we help diminish pollution. Not only did we build this fence, but we were at the same time creating a biological corridor in which birds can more easily move from one patch of forest to another. The work was really hard now that the sun was very hot and strength was required from everyone of us. Hunger and thirst was also part of what made it so tiring. Personally, it was even harder for me, now that my ankle was injured because of a previous accident I had in spring-break. I had to take pills to be able to work on the project without pain, but it was all worth it. I knew I was working for my community, for the environment. The second project was working in the nursery. We first had to clear all the weeds from the growing plant. By doing this, the plants would be able to continue growing in a healthy way. While cleaning them, we ran into some spiders, ants, and very bizarre bugs. After this, we had to move soil from one place to another and then fill pot-like bags for the later use of them to grow more plants in the same nursery.
CONCLUSION
Before realizing this service-learning projects, I had a lazy attitude about it. A few minutes after working, I realized it was worth to put an effort to it. Therefore, after long hours of work, and in my case pain, and we completed this projects, I felt a great satisfaction within me. It was all worth it. Our actions came out to be a success and we accomplished to build the fence and clean and make the nursery much better. There's nothing like seeing how hard-works pays off. We made a favor to nature, to the environment, but most importantly, me made a favor to ourselves.
Service Learning Activity English Reflection & Spanish "Redaccion Español"
Conclusion: How has Understanding Biodiversity Changed Me?
Your group photos & Service Learning Photo Album (inside or link)
Table of Contents
Marianne Birkner
REFLECTION
We had a community service experience in Monte Verde. In this week-long trip, I realized with several companions, two activities to help the community. The first activity was to plant stakes to help preserve and create the Three-Wattled Bell Bird biological corridor. This is for creating live fences in which animals may move easily from one patch of forest to another. For this, we needed to plant estacones. To plant them, we first had to walk a mile until you reach the place designated for planting. Being there, we split shovels and each picked a piece of land located along the fence to start making the holes for the trees. These should have had the depth of a shovel for the estacones not to fall because of their weight. In each hole, we placed an estacón between two feet and eight feet. Then, we refilled the hole with the dirt we had previously taken out and as we were filling it, another person, with a piece of wood, was compressing the soil to keep the estacón in place. Then someone came to tie with a piece of rope, the estacón to the barbed wire fence. This was to prevent the estacón from growing crooked and also out of place. This process is continued for several hours until it was time to finish the job and then leave. It was really hard work but it was to help the animals that lived in the biological corridor. The second activity in the Monte Verde field-trip was a day in the morning in which we went into the forest to look for different seeds to plant in the nursery. This process only took about two hours and after that we went to the nursery. We filled bags with dirt so that afterwards, the man in charge of the nursery could plat the seeds. Then we help each and everyone to put the bags in order in which they corresponded according to the man. Our greatest achievement was to help the animals that inhabit the Bell Bird biological corridor. This is because we helped create live fences by which animals can move easily from one place to another without being in danger because a car can override them or because of other circumstances.
CONCLUSION
Understanding biodiversity has changed me in several ways. It has helped me realize its importance. Knowing about different species is very important knowledge for all of us. Also that we need to protect it because every day, more and more species are endangered and if we continue that way, we will end up loosing them. We need to start becoming conscious of our acts and that every day we are destroying nature and different organisms. If we understand biodiversity, we also understand its need to us and that we really need to protect them. Also, many of the elements of nature are essential for us to live and because of that, we really need to protect them. Something else I learned was how to use different indexes to know how diverse an area is. With these indexes, it is easier to identify species in the designated areas.
Karolina Koberg
REFLECTION
For this year’s service learning, we went to Monte Verde for one week. Through out the week, we did different activities, including labs, workshops and service learning activities. The service learning part of the field trip, was divided into two sections. The first section, was going to plant “estacones”. While doing this, we were helping the UGA to built part of the biological corridor. We planted estacones for five. Under the sun, working hard we planted about 80 estacones. The second activity was one activity divided into several mini activities. We went to the ”vivero” for several hours. Over there, I did two jobs. First, we helped put fertilized soil into bags. We did so then it was easier for the people that worked at the university to plant seeds. Before doing this, the soil had to be first cleaned. That’s what the other job was. I had to clean the soil by shaking it in top of a special material. This was to take the rocks out and then the soil would be easier to put in bags.
CONCLUSION
Before going to this field trip, I was a completely diferent person. I knew about nature, but I did not know as much as what I learned. The most important thing that I learned was that helping the enviorment wasn’t only helping the enviorment. It was helping each person on earth to have a healthier life. This service learning experience changed me in various ways. Now each time I have a plastic bottle I know I have to recycle it. Each time I see energy being wasted unnecessarily I turn it Off. Most importantly, I learned what working with nature was and what helping the environment felt like.
Jimena González
REFLECTION
During this year, our whole generation traveled for one week to The University of Georgia's Monteverde Campus. In here, we were able to participate in a new and completely different community service experience. We were all able to cooperate along with the Monteverde community and help create this environment a better place. We first had to plant stakes in order to create a 'live fence'. This work was extremely tiring and demanded long hours of work under the hot sun, but once we finished and looked back at the final result, it was all worth it. We had to walk for a very long distance while carrying bags, shovels, gloves, snacks, everything being something we would have to carry back at the end of the work when we were really tired. Once we finally got to the place were the fence had to be raised, many of us were tired already, and most weren't truly motivated to work, we were mostly doing it because it was demanded from us, not out of want. We paired up and began the digging. They explained to us just how the process had to take place, all this while waiting under the sun. Digging was a very demanding work, and planting the stakes in and burying them once again took most (if not all) of our time. Nevertheless, once we were finally done and laid back to take a break, many of us wanted to keep going and finish the fence ourselves! When we finally saw what we'd been able to do -all by ourselves- the satisfaction was huge. We'd helped create a fence which wouldn't damage the environment and which would actually help the different species from Monteverde to find shelter and move from one place to another more easily. It was all worth it in the end.CONCLUSION
Helping make a change really changes someone. When I realized the thorough work we'd accomplished by ourselves, and just how crucial it was for the community of Monteverde, I figured out that even though many of us didn't want to go in the first place, it was all worth it in the end. Without the opportunity our school made us take advantage of, I never would've learned the importance of helping the environment in ways that won't damage it but will aid the community. Now, every time I see new generations being born, I know that there's hope for them. We all helped to give Earth a breath from what our society has turned into, and we were able to truly make something that will make the world a better place for our future generation. Thanks to our school's initiative to make us help Monteverde in this way, I grew as a person and am now much more aware of just ho important it is to take care of our planet and give Earth a breath every once in a while.Daniel Majluf
REFLECTION
This year we had a completely different opportunity for service learning. We participated in a week-long field trip to Monteverde. While having deep studies of biodiversity and science, we also collaborated helping the environment as our service learning project. For the first part of the project, we all had to plant estacones to build a completely natural fence in the UGA campus. By doing this, we built a necessary fence without polluting the environment at all. By using fallen trees (natural resources) instead of contaminating materials such as metals or aluminum we help diminish pollution. Not only did we build this fence, but we were at the same time creating a biological corridor in which birds can more easily move from one patch of forest to another. The work was really hard now that the sun was very hot and strength was required from everyone of us. Hunger and thirst was also part of what made it so tiring. Personally, it was even harder for me, now that my ankle was injured because of a previous accident I had in spring-break. I had to take pills to be able to work on the project without pain, but it was all worth it. I knew I was working for my community, for the environment. The second project was working in the nursery. We first had to clear all the weeds from the growing plant. By doing this, the plants would be able to continue growing in a healthy way. While cleaning them, we ran into some spiders, ants, and very bizarre bugs. After this, we had to move soil from one place to another and then fill pot-like bags for the later use of them to grow more plants in the same nursery.
CONCLUSION
Before realizing this service-learning projects, I had a lazy attitude about it. A few minutes after working, I realized it was worth to put an effort to it. Therefore, after long hours of work, and in my case pain, and we completed this projects, I felt a great satisfaction within me. It was all worth it. Our actions came out to be a success and we accomplished to build the fence and clean and make the nursery much better. There's nothing like seeing how hard-works pays off. We made a favor to nature, to the environment, but most importantly, me made a favor to ourselves.
PHOTO ALBUM