Biodiversity
Our Mission:
As the Habitat Hippies our goal is to preserve, protect, and promote biodiversity at GVSU's Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP)!
Image credit:
https://greensaver.org/insights/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity
Our Beginnings:
This project began with the noticeable lack of biodiversity conservation efforts within the SAP. Currently, there is no mention of biodiversity concerns anywhere within the SAP. So, we have decided to take action; biodiversity is the basis of a functioning ecosystem, and without the preservation of the ecosystem on which the SAP is situated, can the SAP really claim to be sustainable in the long run?
Our Programs:
Biodiversity is the summation of all the varieties of living things on Earth (“Biodiversity Loss”). This definition includes genes, individuals, species, and whole biological communities within a defined area (Rafferty). Unfortunately, biodiversity around the world has been on the decline for quite some time. It is so drastic that, at this point, such major losses have been labeled the sixth mass extinction (“Ecological Crisis”). Agricultural systems, like the SAP, are just one of several human pressures and practices that can cause such a steep drop in plant, insect, and animal varieties since they tend to focus on monoculture crop production over biodiversity.
We propose that this tradeoff is does not necessarily need to happen, and that we can still maintain biodiversity and native plant systems while still being a productive, profitable farm.
References
“Biodiversity Loss: What Is Causing It and Why Is It a Concern?” Europa.Eu, 16 Jan. 2020, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20200109STO69929/biodiversity-loss-what-is-causing-it-and-why-is-it-a-concern.
“Ecological Crisis - The Futures Centre.” Thefuturescentre.Org, 2 Oct. 2020, https://www.thefuturescentre.org/trends/ecological-crisis/gclid=CjwKCAjwkvWKBhB4EiwA-GHjFhnd6--UErXbhlKRp8QWcvTe-onFJf1BuSjkLV1fv5SK24BP5TNc2xoCJ8sQAvD_BwE.
Rafferty, John P. “Biodiversity Loss.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 June 2019. University of Birmingham. “Why Should We Care about Biodiversity Loss, and What Can We Do about It?” University of Birmingham, 4 June 2020, https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/ptr/departments/philosophy/news/2020/world-environment-day.aspx.
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Program 1 - Native Namesakes
Flowers with a Friend
*It is important to note that the flowers pictured are not wildflowers and just serve as a placeholder example of flowers in general*
Image credits: Olivia Gordon
When coming up with ideas on how to promote biodiversity within an area, especially one close to a college campus, it is important to consider getting the public involved without it being too much effort on their part. That is the idea of this program! We wanted to make something that multiple people can join in on with little effort while still being educated and making a difference.
This program will cover multiple facets biodiversity promotion and education. It will firstly consist of community members being able to pay a few dollars to plant many things at the SAP such as certain native wildflowers and crops in their own 2x2 ft patch. This action alone will increase biodiversity within and revenue for the SAP. An increase in wildflowers and more diverse crops will lead to an increase in the variety of insect populations as well.
Along with this people will be able to put a wooden stake in the ground by their personal patch that will read their name and when it was planted. This is to encourage a sense of ownership in the community member that does the planting. People will be able to come back and visit their very own wildflower patch or small garden! The idea is that, when you make an effort more personal, it will allow people to genuinely care and feel accomplished when they've done something productive. After such a positive experience people will want to come back and do it again as well as share the news with their friends to do the same!
When harvest time eventually rolls around, those who initially planted things in the spring will be invited to come and enjoy a meal made using their and the SAP's locally grown crops. They will also be entertained by presentations on biodiversity and how they can further protect and promote it at home away from the SAP.
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Program 2 - Bee Informed
Bee inhabitance is crucial for pollination of plants and flowers and promoting biodiversity within the ecosystem. The SAP could benefit from programs such as a bee inhabitance by allowing individuals to learn about pollination patterns, beekeeping, and invasive species.
Our program is a craft night! Bring money to donate to the SAP program and sit for a fun and informational class based around the importance of bee pollination's impact on Biodiversity, and invasive insect species. Proceeds will go towards the SAP's creation of this extension program. And of course you can bring your craft home to display your efforts and inclusion in creating new inhabitance for a good cause!
Bee Hive Craft
Image credit: Mayson Pruitt
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Program 3 - Fixin' Up Forageables
A Foragers Book
Presentation credit: Andrea Achterhoff
This program is focused on educating individuals about foraging in natural systems throughout West Michigan. We propose that the SAP can accomplish this by various methods, as listed below.
This program can include many components, such as classes at the SAP about plant identification, trips into natural spaces to forage with a team and experienced forager, cooking nights at the SAP to learn how to prepare foraged foods and a foraging tips book/cookbook that the SAP can produce and sell. I also propose that the SAP dedicate an area to the cultivation of native foods that we could use for on site identification classes. This would also help us increase the biodiversity within the SAP, directly in the form of the plants we will be cultivating, as well as indirectly from the habitat/resources these could potentially provide for other native organisms.
Our Closing Remarks:
A decline in biodiversity is a problem for all to be concerned with, but agriculture should especially be aware of its actions and consequences. Agriculture is a double-edged sword. It has the ability to cause even more diversity loss with its current trajectory, but it is also a great starting point for change. We believe that GVSU’s Sustainable Agriculture Project should take into consideration our proposed programs and make efforts to include a plan for biodiversity conservation within their overall mission.
Our Team:
Hi there! My name is Olivia Gordon and I am currently a senior Chemistry major with a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies.
Hi! My name is Andrea Achterhoff and I am currently a senior at GVSU. My majors are Biology and Natural Resource Management, with a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies,
Hey y'all, I'm Mayson Pruitt, a senior here at GVSU studying Liberal Studies with three minors: Non-Profit, Entrepreneurship, and Environmental Sustainability.
Hi! My name is Zack Morauske and I'm a junior here at GVSU. My major is marketing, and I have a minor in Environmental Sustainability.
