Nicodemus Wilderness Project
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Nicodemus Wilderness Project

 
 

NWP Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists - Northville MI, USA

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Northville MI, USA
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nickc16



Registered: December 2017
City/Town/Province: Northville
Posts: 1
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Everyone knows that bees are a vital part of our ecosystem. Almost everyone knows of all the foods that would be taken away if bees went extinct. But very many people know of the bee that does not look at all like a bee, but who's ecological significance cannot be understated. These solitary bees, called natural pollinators, receive much less attention than their black and yellow cousins.


Natural pollinators don't look like the typical bee, do not have a stinger, and don't live in a hive with other bees. Their purpose is strictly to pollinate. They are solitary, and typically live in any nooks crannies that they can find. This is usually created by a woodpecker drilling holes into buildings, or any other small shelter they can find. Unfortunately, this bee is in decline as the habitats are frequently destroyed. The bee hotel fixes that, and provides a more permanent residence for these creatures.


I first learned about the natural pollinator from my grandpa, who showed me what they look like in his garden. He explained their purpose, and how critical they are to our ecosystem. This made me very curious as to why they were not helped as much as other species. I knew I had to help them in some way, so I set out to find a way to help them.


As previously stated, these natural pollinators usually find shelters in whatever small opening they can. Their habitats are very unstable, which can cause the bees to die off or leave areas that are in dire need of their pollination. The way that I found I could help the most was the creation of a bee hotel. This structure would give the solitary bees a more permanent habitat, and contain several different natural elements for the bees to live in,


The construction of the bee hotel was very well planned in order to ensure that it would be standing decades from now. It has 4 posts dug that are buried about thirty inches. It stands about 5 feet tall from ground level, and has a galvanized steel roof to protect it from the elements. It is built with cedar wood so the hotel can stay consistent with the antique looks of the village. Inside the structure are various natural elements such as cherry wood, bamboo, pinecones, and rocks. All of these materials have holes in them in one way or another which provides the bees shelter. Covering both sides is a chicken wire mesh to keep all the materials enclosed, and prevent unwanted visitors from entering the bee hotel. It was placed on the outskirts of the Mill Race village, near a small river that had abundant flora present. This made it so more bees could shelter themselves there.


Perhaps the most difficult part of this project was not the actual construction, but rather leading others in assisting me with building. To effectively lead, I made sure to blueprint the project in detail and properly train all of my fellow volunteers. A large part of the construction involved drilling holes into wood and cutting bamboo, which went very well with the assembly line that I led. I made sure to constantly spot check the finished products to ensure accuracy. But, a large part of being a leader is also being friendly. Therefore, throughout the project I made sure to help anyone that needed it, as well as bring out refreshments. Therefore, I can safely say that leadership was the biggest thing that I learned from this project.


Protecting the Mill Race area is important because it will serve as a guide for others to follow. Not a lot of people know what a bee hotel is, but after seeing mine and looking at the positive ecological effects, more people will put bee hotels in their backyard.


Outside of helping the environment, I am involved in DECA, National Honors Society, the Wounded Warrior Project, and have achieved the Eagle Scout rank. I have a passion for business, and hope to combine it with my love for the environment to set a precedent of ecological awareness in whatever company I end up at.


I loved conducting this project. Ever since I took AP Environmental Science, I have learned a lot about how damaged our environment is. I knew after the first few weeks of that class that I needed to help my planet in some way throughout my life. Doing this project on behalf of the Nicodemus Wilderness Project has given me the first stepping stone in this important part of my life. I may only be 17 years old, but I know that I can leave a positive impact on our environment for my many years to come.
· Date: December 29, 2017 · Views: 2984 · File size: 19.3kb, 4288.4kb · : 3024 x 4032 ·
Hours Volunteered: 160
Volunteers: 9
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 15-17, 46
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