project overview
We started this 3 year project with the city of Chula Vista and with the help of biologists from RECON Environmental, Inc. to restore the cactus wren back to the Salt Creek Preserve by helping to grow coast cholla cacti. The cactus wren population is decreasing because of habitat loss (coast cholla cactus), drought, and invasive species.
To learn more about the restoration and the efforts to preserve land we created three different projects (Documentary, Habitat Signs, Cactus Garden) within the whole class and team to explore topics on restoration and habitat types.
To learn more about the restoration and the efforts to preserve land we created three different projects (Documentary, Habitat Signs, Cactus Garden) within the whole class and team to explore topics on restoration and habitat types.
cactus garden
We created a cactus farm to help restore endangered species, such as the Cactus Wren. We are growing cholla cacti to replant in the Otay Ranch Preserve near our school. Species like the Cactus Wren make nests in the cholla cacti, so the cholla will help restore the Cactus Wren population. To protect and care for the cacti, we also plan to build an enclosure for the cacti farm. We researched other similar gardens to get ideas, researched materials, made budget proposals, and created models (either on Google SketchUp or 3D models) that we will vote on. Once we choose a model, we will build the enclosure around our cacti farm.
Habitat signs
We also learned about other local habitats in need. These habitats need people who visit to know to be very careful. So in that matter, we made signs for specific environments to provide the public with information about the sensitive species in the area. We researched to learn more about what information we could put on our signs. We came up with biographies of the animals and plants who live in that area and important information about the environment. To create the signs, we drew drafts of on paper and got them critiqued, when we made some corrections, we made a draft on Adobe Illustrator. Those drafts were printed on a sample wood using a laser printer. We will have the signs critiqued at our exhibition, and then we will create final drafts to be printed and posted.
documentaries
At first this project started out as us growing a cacti farm to be a habitat for endangered species, but as we learned more about the Otay Ranch Region and the nature preserve here, we deiced to create something more. We came up with the idea of making documentaries to inform people about the nature preserve and what is being done in Chula Vista to protect the land and native species. We wanted people to know the affect we can have on the environment and the plant and animal species around us. For the past 5 weeks, our team has been working hard to create informative documentaries. This project highlights the importance of preserving land and what has or will happen if we don't start to open our eyes and take action to protect the environment. Each documentary has a message that deserves to be free to the public. We read articles and interviewed experts and students to learn more about the preserve land, the programs involved in protecting and restoring the native habitats, land development, native species, sustainable development, and environmental justice. We learned how to conduct interviews, set up lighting, use sound and video equipment, and edit film through iMove. Most importantly, we got to explore the world around us and share our important message with you, our community!