1. What do you propose to do? [20 words]
Implement a grassroots marketing campaign for our iWitness Pollution Map, a crowd-sourcing tool launched during the 2010 BP Oil Disaster, to report pollution and associated health impacts.
2. Is anyone doing something like this now and how is your…
Mr. Mouserton
AHHHHH! I had a horrific experience tonight. While cooking dinner I saw something sticking out from under the cabinet under the microwave. I stepped on it with my sandal to drag it out to see what it was. To my sheer terror it was a sticky trap with our mouse friend stuck to it in a debilitated position squeaking dreadfully for help while twitching profusely. My initial reaction was to jump back but the trap was stuck to my shoe and the entire thing was stuck to me. I left my shoe where it was and ran into the next room screaming to throw my other shoe at Mulu. She did not appreciate this and told me not to blame her because a exterminator guy came today while we were away at work and must have laid the inhumane trap. I wanted to help him but couldn’t bring myself to kill him. The squeaking tstill haunts me. The trap is so sticky that if I tried to free him, his fur and skin would have been ripped off. Allie fed him cheese and suggested cutting the trap and leaving that portion stuck to his body and setting him free. Lia said he would surely die and we should kill him. Kevin was just as traumatized as me. Mulu is cold and has no heart and refused to give Allie her scissors to set him free. She said “Screw that mouse!” I wanted to cry. I told Mulu that I would have much rather had found him in the normal mouse trap dead than stuck to the bottom of my shoe squeaking. I also told her that she wanted him dead more than anyone else so she should be the one to have to deal with him. Ambrosia said, “This is just terrible!” I laid in bed after dinner honestly depressed over the event. I’m fearful of going downstairs to find him uncared for left to rot in agony by Mulu.
I have a headache just thinking about it.
“All I see is caulk!”
At first I was a little indifferent upon hearing our project would be in D.C. I was really hoping for a northern project in Maine or Vermont. However, as soon as we moved into our wonderful housing, my attitude changed. The first night here, Kate, Kevin, and I had a sing along with Allie as he played the guitar out on the porch. Sitting out there watching all the cars, people, and D.C. pass by reminded me of city living in Kalamazoo, MI. I forgot about some of the simple joys that grow on you with city living. I’m looking forward to exploring all D.C. has to offer.
Orientation for Habitat for Humanity was very informational and well put together. I found the documentary we watched very interesting and gave the project much more significance. I love discussing green technology and commend Habitat for their environmental innovation.
Thank you
I wanted to take the time to commend Raven 3 for their presentation at the All Corps meeting. Speaking about such a horrific topic is never easy and I appreciate their valor. I think it is very important to take the initiative to refuse to remain silent and vicarious on such issues. Thank you to R3 for taking the first step of spreading awareness and being ambassadors for change.
Just recently I finished a book called Half the Sky: Turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, that dedicates a section to human trafficking. I recommend it to anyone interested in reading more testimonies of victims of the sex trade and their struggles to emancipation. Half the Sky introduced the issue to me; however, R3’s presentation opened my eyes to how close to home the problem really is. I was aware of its existence in developing countries but had no idea of the significant prevalence it has in America. I have become very passionate regarding the issue as well. I am thankful for R3 opening the eyes of the Corps by sharing the story of the American girl and not censoring the roughest parts. Regardless of what country it is in, it is a crime to humanity that cannot just be swept under the rug.
Oranges
Glen, our sponsor for Delaware State Parks, gave us the apples and oranges speech during our orientation this past Monday. He is a wonderful sponsor who is very accommodating and highly enthusiastic about the project. He is also really big on service learning which is great for our team. This motivates the group to try even harder because he is such a great guy. Some people on the team came into the project viewing it as an apple, and may continue to view it that way throughout the project. As for me, on our first day of work walking down the trails I felt at home. This project is my orange. I love being outdoors and doing conservation work. I find being in the park therapeutic and peaceful. This kind of project allows you to reflect and appreciate nature’s beauty. I’m a happy camper : )
Cedar Hollow Preserve
Yesterday members from our team and R1 did an ISP at the Cedar Hollow Preserve. I thoroughly enjoyed this ISP. It was physically demanding, a full 8 hours, and very satisfying. We worked with two gentlemen named Ray and Tim. Both were very kind and informative. In the first half of the day we constructed two damns and restored a bridge made from railroad ties. Building the damns was my favorite part. If I end up in a conservation corps, it will be a good skill to have learned. Ray used a chainsaw to cut limbs from fallen trees to construct the damns. I was surprised to see him working with the saw without any protection. He didn’t even wear chaps or use the chain break while walking with the saw while it was still running. I knew he has worked with saws for some time now but accidents can always happen so I made sure to keep my distance while it was running.
Tim was very knowledgeable of the regions fauna and flora. He identified different plants, insects, and the tallest tree on the preserve, the 114 ft. Hackberry tree. Kareem pointed out Papow and Spicebush. Both are sweet smelling plants. They smelled so good I kept smelling them throughout the day. Carrying the railroad ties was tough and everyone definitely got a good forearm workout. Ray and Tim were very grateful for our work and told us they could have not done it without us. I would love to work with them again and told Ray that I would send him a potential Project Sponsor Form.
I find that I enjoy the environmental projects best of all.
