Restoration+Project+at+Prospect+Park+by+Marta+Kheyfets

Often, when kids learn about nature and ecology in city schools, they don’t get to observe any real life examples. I know that, as a kid, I never did. At best, we got to watch a video. But when I was doing research for this wiki, I found //so// many opportunities to observe ecology projects in New York City. I think if //I// was doing a unit on //habitat restoration// with 5th or 6th graders, I would do everything possible to plan a visit to Prospect Park.

How I could Use Wiki at //this// point: Before the trip, I could create my own wiki page with some background information about Prospect Park as well as a review of what restoration ecology is. I know kids are very internet-savvy and I think they would enjoy going online to their teacher's website much more than reading a textbook or a worksheet.

Now, Prospect Park a really beautiful and enjoyable place to visit at //any// time. However, it would be a particularly perfect place to visit while learning about //restoration ecology// because there has been a restoration project going on there since 1994. According to the website,  [], the project is led by the Prospect Park alliance and their aim is to “restore the park to its original design specifications.”   Here are two specific aspects of the restoration project that I would focus on with the kids.

1. Tulepo Tree Restoration Part of the restoration project includes removing invasive plant species and replacing them with tupelo trees. We would take a look at those trees with the kids and maybe sketch them briefly (they are reputed to be quite beautiful in the fall). I would ask the kids to try to guess what the tulepo tree can contribute to its’ ecosystem and what makes it so important. Some of them would probably mention fruits. And they would be right because, among other things, the tupelo “provides high-fat fruits important for migratory songbirds."

2. Lakes and Water Plants The other part of the restoration project involves creating lakes by filling dried, hollowed-out areas with water. we would look at such a lake with the kids, and possibly take a look at photos of what the place looked like //before// it was a lake. We'd also discuss how the growth of water plants in those lakes is regulated. we'd take a look at how the park staff replaces invasive water plants, such as phragmites, with "other diverse species like rushes, cattails, pickerelweed, arrow arum and duck potato." Once again, I'd ask them why they think these plants are better and more important to the ecosystem that the lake is in. II would explain to them that these diverse plants provide a better habitat for fish and better food and nesting material for birds.

There is also a program that Prospect Park provides for kids called //The Green Team//. As part of the Green Team, the kids would be able to play a game trying to identify birds by appearance or even by birdsong. Although, this does not exactly teach restoration ecology, it helps kids understand just how many different bird species they are and how restoration projects can help them survive.

How I could Use Wiki at //this// point//:// After the trip, I could have the kids write about what they learned and then post some of their writing online on a separate wiki page. The fact that their writing could be posted online would be additional motivation for them to put effort into it.

//Comment on Pamela Haskins' Page:// I really like Pamela's wiki and lesson plan. It's great to ask the kids what they see on the way to school because then they can see that the info relates to them somehow. Going over the vocabulary is useful too. And I know that when you assign each kid a different animal to research, they enjoy it much more than when everybody is stuck doing the same thing.