Hello! My name is Kayla Hira, and I am a second-year student here at Georgia State University. I have a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Environmental Science and a minor in Biological Sciences. I chose this course “Urban Ecology and Environmental Conservation” because I wanted to learn more about my passion and major with the benefit of helping small communities and organizations with conserving the planet. I also wanted to volunteer because I wanted to see a difference in the communities around our city in the ways that they help our earth and spread knowledge on how others can help natural spaces as well. From the class, we have been reading excerpts and learning about what it means in the sense of natural lands, and how various places and perspectives came forth in conserving and defining what nature is. Many of the excerpts shed knowledge on their concepts of what is natural and what is inorganic and had their own experiences with places that are less fortunate to be conserved to push for a recognition of conservation and environmental help.  

 

The community partner I was matched with was the Blue Heron Nature Preserve, a 30-acre area of nature with various Environmental situations in woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and riparian. Thier aim is to engage people about the environments and natural habitats, protect/preserve the habitats and their heritages, provide a natural lab for various education and research, and advocate for preservation for urban communities. Some of the volunteer work I am excited about, particularly the Tree Survey and knowledge about carbon footprints in our area. Learning about meadows and how they are such an integral part of fighting climate change and being able to plant some native species and learn about meadows (prairies) is something I would like to expand on because I have always been interested in planting and cultivating flowers and small plants. Their ability to fit four different habitats for native plants and animal communities is something I wanted out of my community partner, because I wanted to get a full grasp of all aspects of environmental conservation, and the Blue Heron Nature Preserve reflects that. I also want to find out how different environments in Georgia impacted the natural parts and ecology of the state and how I can further impact people and have the knowledge to make a difference in environmental change. 

 

Citation-“The Nature Preserve.” Blue Heron Nature Preserve, August 25, 2022. https://bhnp.org/about/the-preserve/.