RETURNING TO THE JUNKYARD

Created by: Natalie Nixson, Olivia Larbi, and

Janina Peck

The EventLast year, we stumbled upon an old

junkyard while taking information for our (future) project. We decided to use this for our project and eventually decided to try to clean it up.

Problem

Is the junkyard a habitat for animals or is it still just a problem for Harford Glen even after the cleanup?

Issue

How has the stewardship of Harford Glen impacted its environment?

PlayersName Beliefs / ValuesMrs. Teal “Personally, that is a hard question to

answer. Herps love junk. It would be good for the herps but bad for the environment.”

Mrs. Ruth “When the school system created the junkyard they were unaware that it was a great hazard to the environment. I believe that it should be removed because it is bad for the soil and the safety of the kids.”

Olivia Blondheim (counselor) “We should try to do minimal damage to the area. If we had to bring in trucks, it wouldn’t be worth it to damage the surrounding environment. If we could remove the junk without harming the environment, it would be worth it to remove so that new life could grow where it once was.”

Do you think we should get rid of the junkyard?

Student Players

Name Beliefs/ValuesDarcy “Yes, it could be harmful to the

animals but the herps need it. Maybe if you just clean up what you can, it would be good for both herps and mammals.”

Zoey “No! The herps need it for shelter! Just get rid of all the glass and sharp things, it would help mammals, but still be there for the herps.”

Bradley “Try your best to get the small things out. If you were to clean off the deer trail then the deer wouldn’t step on any glass. Keep the big stuff so you don’t have to bring in any trucks.”

Do you think we should get rid of the junkyard?

Research QuestionTo what extent has the cleanup of

the old junkyard in Harford Glen affected the population of

“herps” and mammals making their home in and around the

junkyard?

Last year…Our research question was: To what extent does the presence of

an old junkyard in the forest of Harford Glen affect the biodiversity?

Last year…Our inferences: The mammals might have moved into the

area where the junkyard is if it did not exist because there are plentiful trees surrounding the area, more future habitats for herps and mammals to live, and it’s near a field and a stream.

The junkyard is not a safe area for mammals, herps, and children because of the glass and the rusty metal.

Last year…Conclusion:

According to our data, there were no mammals or signs of mammals in or by the junkyard

American Toads were one of the most common herps found and the only herp we found in the junkyard.

No signs of biodiversity of herpetofaunaRecommendations:

Don’t put trash or unwanted items in the forest. Action plan: Put signs that warn people about the hazards of the

junkyard and place them around the junkyard. Also, we roped off the junkyard area.

Give Patti Jo Beard, assistant supervisor of facilities of HCPS a tour of the junkyard.

What are we talking about?

MAMMALIA (MAMMALS) HERPETOFAUNA (HERPS)

Warm-blooded vertebrates that don’t lay eggs.

Cold-blooded vertebrates that lay eggs.

(Reptiles and amphibians)

Junkyard

You Are Here

Key: Triangle- MammalsCircles- HerpsCrosses- Junk Piles

Area: 4,365.273656 Square Meters Perimeter: 260.903233 Meters

HypothesisAll of us agree that we will probably find a

greater population of herps. Although we think that we will not find an increase of mammals.

“Herps” in the Junkyard How Many?

Fowlers ToadAmerican ToadEastern Garter SnakeSnapping turtleGray Treefrog

5

6

21 1

Mammals in the JunkyardHow Many?

DeerFoxSquirrel

1

1 2

Comparison Between Herps and Mammals

Mammals Herps02468

10121416 Number of signs/animals

Number of signs/an-imals

Conclusions We have found an increase of both

mammal and herp population in the junkyard from last year.

InferencesWe think that the population of

animals in the junkyard increased when we removed the glass from the junkyard.

Continuing to clean up the junkyard will encourage more animals to live there.

Recommendations Get rid of the junkyard! Place natural hiding places for herps. Continue to rope it off until it is

completely clear. Hang signs to warn people until the

junkyard is gone.

AcknowledgementsWe would like to thank: Ms. Airing Mr. Burley Mr. Eakes Mr. Cromwell Mr. Smith Ms. Murray Ms.Teal The Experts Our Parents Bradley Pierce, Zoey Rubinoff, Darcy Baynes & Miss. Olivia Blondheim Miss. Juliane Caughron