Harvest-Time Memories

The epic snowstorm of Buffalo and surrounding southern areas is still fresh in everyone's mind, especially those in the tri-state area.  Here in Erie we simply had our normal 2-3 feet of snow, depending upon where you are in the county.  The term 'lake effect' means EXACTLY that - it was the perfect storm right along the shoreline of Lake Erie.  Moisture was collected from the lake as the system moved across it, then unceremoniously dumped on the immediate land.  Unfortunately for some towns, the system didn't move.  It simply sat there for over one day, like a ski resort snow machine that someone forgot to turn off.  Truly fantastic; an event that will be told and retold for generations.




We are currently snow-free from our 67 degree day on Monday, which led me back to our Pumpkin Walk back in early October.  We are still technically in the fall season, and the Master Gardener event held here at Headwaters Park should be recounted to revel in the success of the evening and look forward to the possibilities that might appear in 2015!

The Master Gardeners spend months, MONTHS, organizing this event for the one evening in October.  Always the first Saturday, so mark your calendars now.  When I say months, I really mean they have already begun planning for 2015.  Organizing the carvers, donations of pumpkins, drop-off and pickups of jack-o-lanterns, educational displays, 4-H food vendors, local fire stations for education regarding Fire Safety month, volunteers, volunteers, and more volunteers.

It is a wonder and a sight to see.

All businesses that sponsor the event receive a pumpkin carved with their logo.  All proceed are utilized for the event and future educational outreach of the Gardeners.  The carvers had a perfect day to spend outside with the pumpkins.

Over 700 jack-o-lanterns were placed in the Park along a 1/2 mile of trail.  Starting at 5pm, families began their hike, commenting on the cleverness of faces, or pointing out details and colors.  Some pumpkins were carved with art in mind, some with traditional faces, but all greatly enjoyed by the over 3,000 visitors.

However, one more surprise was added at the finale of the hike.

Students from several Central Tech High School classes pooled their electronic, engineering, and media skills to create a musical light display with artfully placed jack-o-lanterns.  Check out the looping performance here.

The hike itself took 45 minutes (or longer, if you lingered).  Visitors were then treated to a variety of educational displays, games for kids, and drawings for door prizes.  Mountaintop 4-H graciously offered a snack tent, with proceeds benefiting the 4-H program.  The firefighters and EMS volunteers were happy to talk with visitors about Fire Safety month and their local programs.

Pumpkin D'Light night was a great success for the 3rd consecutive year and we are anticipating another wonderful display in 2015!

Fall Stream Studies

Despite the cooler, wetter weather we experienced this summer in northwest PA, we have had a reasonably pleasant fall season.  Taking advantage of this weather are numerous students throughout the region learning how to study the health of their school/neighborhood's local streams.

The study began over two years ago in outreach intended to connect regional students and teachers with their local watersheds and natural waterways.  Being so close to Lake Erie, most schools have a stream within walking distance of their building.  It was the intent to have students explore their streams through hands-on testing and discovery and learn if that water is healthy.  While exploring, students are also making connections between the natural waterways and their daily lives.

Where is this water going?  (Lake Erie)

Where does the water from my school's faucet come from?  (usually Lake Erie, occasionally a local reservoir or set of wells)

If this creek flows to Lake Erie, and I swim/fish/boat/etc. in the lake, what does that mean for me?

The questions continue as the students become more involved in their studies.

Students from Clark Elementary learning what macroinvertebrates might live in Four Mile Creek

The students involved in this study range from state border to state border - Ohio to New York.  Some creeks are rural, some suburban, and some run right through the center of Erie or surrounding towns.

Four Mile Creek - upstream 

Clark 6th graders testing stream water

Students from JoAnna Connell Elementary spent several hours the last week of October exploring and testing the waters of Cemetery Run.  The fifth graders tested five different sites behind their school; two from the adjacent wetlands and three from the creek.  Small groups of students tested each site for levels of phosphates, nitrates, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, coliform bacteria, temperature, pH, and macroinvertebrates in the stream.  

Recording data

Not only have student groups been exploring the stream, they have also become stewards of their areas, cleaning up trash found in and around the creek and generally maintaining the site.

Connell students observing the site and recording data.

It is an invaluable experience for the students and staff to regularly study and explore their neighborhood waterways and natural areas.  Not only to understand how nature works, but also to create connections between themselves and their environment.  As the students begin to see themselves as part of their surroundings, and the beauty and value of them, they become stewards of the environment, taking care of the area year after year.