Home Easton Project Hops and Plops

Purpose: Increase the population of endangered Karner Blue Butterfly in Adams County.

Observation: Site visit by U.S. Fish and Wildlife and NRCS confirmed the lack of habitat for the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly.

Problem: How does one increase the population of the endangered Blue Karner Butterfly in Adams County?

Hypothesis: If the students of Adams - Friendship Area Schools, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the NRCS, restore 15 acres of the Strong Prairie School Forest, by selective timber reduction and invasive species eradication, then there will be a 90% increase of wildlife including the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly.

• Transporation and Financial Mangament( Mr. Stelter's 4th hr. 7th grade math and Mrs. Nett's 4th hr. 8th grade algebra classes)

• Pre-project observations (  )

Experiments:

UNIT One: Selection of Trees for Thinning

• Lessons
  • Tree identification
  • Mapping of selected area
  • Select 75% of trees
  • Selecting clumps of trees to remain
  • Mark those trees selcted for thinning

UNIT Two: Pre-Data Collection

• Lessons
  • Current butterfly population
  • All trees, shrubs, pants, flowers, wildlife identified and counted
  • Soil and air temperatures
  • Current ecosystem and how it's similar to a government (Mr. Ebert's 8th science and Mr. Gralapp's 6th social studies)

UNIT Three: Tree Cutting

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Completed by DNR

UNIT Four: Soil Preperation

• Tree top raking and soil scraping by DNR

UNIT Five: Seed Selection and dispersal

• Lessons
  • Collect current data regarding Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat
  • What environment encourages butterfly growth, ie: plants, flowers, habitat
  • Seed selection and
  • Where to disperse of seeds
  • Mapping of seeded areas

Data collection in progress:

• Plants, trees, flowers,
• Current butterfly population

Project History

• Finances: Ms. Nett's 8th grade math
• Initital photographs
• Pictures of lessons in progress
• Up to date graphs
• Interviews
• History of idea
• Brochure to Chamber of Commerce
• Guide to butterfly gardens

Reflection/Conclusion:

Share results:

Data collection:

Reflection/Conclusion:

Share results:

Ms. Nett's math group will be in charge of the finances.

Some of the questions needed to be answered.

Transportation costs

Apprimatley how many trees will be sold.

Approx how tall in the average stand of trees.

Cost to cut timber, haul away.

Timber profit