Service Learning

Excelsior Pass- Washington Trails Association 

barbara@wta.org

9am-2:30pm

When working with the Washington Trails Association on Excelsior Pass, we worked on clearing and creating new waterways for melting snow runoff from the mountain. With everyone doing their part to help clean up the trail, we cleared 30 new waterways that day over a 2 mile span.

Clearing and cleaning waterways helps prevent accelerated erosion from taking over the path and ruining human accessible nature. Moving the water ways further from the path also helps prevent possible pollution from people littering and throwing their garbage into the river below them. Being able to be outside and experience nature raises awareness about the necessity for habitat preservation. Without being able to experience nature and see wildlife and the obvious effects we have on it, there is no emotional connection between nature and society. 

Water running from the mountain into the rivers and streams eventually end up in estuaries, leading into the ocean. Preventing pollution and providing an easier path for the water is helping ecosystems on the mountain that need the water to survive as well as the ecosystems below. Marine biology is eventually connected to all outdoor systems that need water to survive. Even cities and towns that aren't near bodies of water have drainage systems that usually end up lakes or oceans. The keystone species in water provide insight to what is to come for those of us living on land.  The organisms in the ocean have been around much longer and have adapted to much more extreme conditions. When these incredible animals that have survived seemingly worst than a few degree temperature change are suffering and at risk of extinction from the heat, chemicals, garbage, and human interference, it's important that we contribute in as many ways as possible.

-Could digging new waterways contribute to unintended erosion?

-What would be the cost to bring a similar system to more trails and parks across the area, and who would front load that bill?

-If we could get more volunteers out to the trail and parks on a more regular basis what would the true impacts be to our parks and trails?

-What will happen in the new administration without raised awareness about the importance of parks?