Getting the down LOW on the EnvirO-nment
Jesse Hoge

Aqua viewing.

It was hot and muggy when the day began and it only got worse, but that didn’t stop Science Institute from learning. It gave them an excuse to get dirty and wet. Their day started at Sturgeon City as the leadership students took them on tours of the bio tower and drying beds. After being exposed to the Sturgeon City at it’s best, the students learned about keeping the environment clean and just exactly how we’ve come so far in Sturgeon City as well as plans for the future.

After enjoying a hearty lunch, the Science Institute students were off again, to the land application site.

The land application site is where the waste from our area goes to be distributed back into the environment after it has been rid of the hazardous materials. It is distributed by misters onto the plant life to fertilize it. At the land application site there are lily ponds where the students then were able to get a hands on feel as they suited up with waders and notepads ready to record any evidence of life; there was plenty around them. There was a baby alligator sighting along with plenty of snakes and insects. The water, at times, was above waist deep and murky all the way to the bottom making it impossible to see what you are walking into which made the experience a bit more exciting.

After wading in the water for almost thirty minutes the students then got to learn about the trees native to their area and how to distinguish their type and age-thanks to Danny Marshburn-pro forester. Upon the return to the institute the science institute students recorded the exciting happenings of the day. All and all it was a long, hot and exhausting day but the findings were well worth the time and effort!

Wood is good.