Dr. Richard Border (professor of geography and anthropology) leads this project, along with co-investigators Dr. Bryan Man (sociology) and Dr. Gail Grabowsky (environmental studies). Students of all three professors may participate, as assigned in course syllabi.
State Parks Field Trip Requirements
General Requirements
The work will be hot and possibly dangerous. You will not be able to see the ground frequently due to heavy vegetation, much of the project area consists of loose material, given the low vegetation there won’t be anything to hang onto to keep your balance and there will be some interesting members of the human species in the area. You must be in good shape–we are walking on relatively dangerous terrain in hot conditions. Given the
Remember, you must complete three field trips AND a written analysis/summary of your experience to use this as your service-learning project.
You must register with service-learning and get the service-learning waiver signed.
Field Equipment Requirements (minimum)
Please wear appropriate clothing and environmental protection, see below for more information.
- Sun, plant and/or bug protection
- Sunscreen with high SPF that is waterproof is suggested
- Shirt top: long sleeve shirt is recommended. T-shirts are okay, but your arms may get scratched. Tank tops or tops with more skin exposure is not recommended.
- Shoes: hiking boots or at least ‘hi-top’ sneakers/athletic shoes are recommended. You must have closed shoes or you will not be allowed on the field trip.
- Gloves: a pair of gardening gloves (leather palm)
are recommended. - Eye protection: you MUST have eye protection. Sunglasses are
fine, if not then protective clear lenses (forconstruction work) that you can get at City Mill or Ace Hardware. - Water: make sure you stay hydrated throughout the field trip. It’s recommended that your water bottle/thermos/canister buckles on to something, as you will need both hands free.
- Hat
Field Trip Hours
All field trips are 8:30 AM–12 PM
Mandatory Meeting
TBA. Contact professor Bordner for more information.
The meeting will review the requirements for the project as well as provide initial training. You must also sign the waiver.
Kaiwi State Park Project (starting Spring 2011)
A cultural/environmental inventory of Kaiwi State Park.
Diamond Head Project (completed as of Spring 2010)*
As an interdisciplinary service-learning project, the Diamond Head Field Survey conducts detailed recording and analysis of physical landscapes and surface features that provide insight into past human activities on the outer slopes of the crater. The project also attempts to “demarcate persistent microenvironments and remnant vegetation from past human landscapes and indigenous vegetation.”
After training, students participate in about five field trips per semester, using GPS and other instruments to do quality data collection. Formal reports with appropriate synthesis and analyses of findings are generated for State Parks staff.
*As of 2010, work has been completed at Diamond Head. Until our community partners determine additional work is needed at other sites, other service-learning projects will be available to students in these classes.
