The project I worked on was a nature trail alongside Tesoro High School to the West of the campus. The school is located in southern Orange County, California. It outlined the terrain, nature, animals and native plants in the region with signs. It contains a dirt footpath with 13 posts along the trail. The posts include photographs and information regarding the following:
1. California Buckwheat
2. California Sagebrush
3. Coast prickly Pear
4. Coyote Brush
5. Elderberry
6. White Sage
7. Gopher snake
8. Southern Pacific Rattlesnake
9. Barn Owl
10. Red Tailed Hawk
11. Darkling Beetle
12. Tarantula Hawk
13. Leave No Trace Behind
The trail is 925 feet long. This was helpful for the school, specifically the Science Department of Tesoro High School because it provided a hands on experience in the science classes. The trail also provided the life science classes the opportunity to learn about the local area and incorporate this information into their curriculum. The following is a step by step procedure of what took place at my home then at the project site:1. Cut 1 2x3 - 1 2x8 lumber in half with a circular saw, then cut at a 45 degree angle at one end to create top of the post.
2. Cut 1 2x5 - 1 2x8 lumber into approximately 10 inch lengths, two for each post.
3. Stain wood with waterproof stain to protect against weathering.
4. Drill 2 holes about an inch apart at a 45 degree angle on one of the two 1 2x5 - 1 2x8 pieces of lumber for each post.
5. Countersink these holes with a countersink bit.
6. Line up one 1 2x5 - 1 2x8 with the 45 degree angle on the 1 2x3 - 1 2x8 for each post.
7. Re-drill previous holes so the holes continue into the 1 2x3 - 1 2x8.
Screw in decking screws with washers on them into the two holes, connecting the two pieces of lumber.
8. Attach the second 1 2x5 - 1 2x8 to the first one with the self closing hinge.
9. Apply the trail sign in between the two 1 2x5 - 1 2x8s so the top piece acts as a cover for the sign.
10. Clear trail location of all brush and widen trail to approximately four feet at all areas.
11. Dig 13 one and a half foot holes about a foot in diameter for the signs.
12. Mix the concrete mix with water and fill each hole with concrete after placing the sign in place and making sure it is aligned straight.
13. Fill the hole about 2/3 of the way with concrete around the post.
14. Fill the remainder of the hole with backfilling dirt. I raised funds to help pay for the supplies for the project. I asked local stores for donations for the project. I set up the work days for the project. I announced to the troop the work days and information about the project. I set up the information on the Troop website and on an online sign up page. I went shopping for the needed supplies. I gathered tools for the project. I made a prototype of the project with my grandfather. I cut all the wood to the necessary sizes and sanded and stained the wood. I placed markers on the trail at the designated areas where the holes will be dug for the posts. I bought all the food and water for the volunteers. By participating in this project, I learned that it helps to be a supportive and encouraging leader to help people work and my skills were developed by supporting other people’s accomplishments. This trail will benefit the school and community for years to come. It will offer insight into environment we share with other living things and hopefully teach those to be respectful and take care our limited resources. Completing this project reinforced my goal of becoming an environmental engineer. I hope to protect our resources and develop ways to ensure future generations will have access to such beautiful environments as the one I helped to enrich and protect.
· Date: October 4, 2015 · Views: 5198 · File size:20.9kb, 4198.2kb · : 2448 x 3264 ·
Project Results
Hours Volunteered: 221
Volunteers: 33
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 17 & 7 to 49