AfterWords

Students in the LEAF school (Learn-and-serve Environmental Anthropology Field school) enroll in Anthropology 101, 102, or 103 and spend a lot of time in hands-on service-learning projects in the community — outdoors, in nature. Students shared some reflections on their experience in an earlier post. They read Stuff, The Secret Lives of Every Day Things by John C. Ryan and Alan Thein and then researched the origins of some of their own stuff: vitamin pills, fruit, Minute Maid orange juice, plastic jars, hair conditioner etc. They also did this as an exercise: find a”sit spot” in nature, spend 15 minutes in observation, and then reflect.

Here are excerpts from some of their reflections on their experience in LEAF last fall (read more in the comments of the earlier post):

I will never look at nature or my surrounding the same way ever again…Physically I became stronger…Mentally I know more about the environment and what positive as well as negative impact I can make.

I know that my efforts toward my Associate of Arts transfer degree and self discovery are also aiding in the health and vitality of my own community.

Meadowdale county Park/Beach is probably my favorite park. It was one of the first places I visited when I moved to Lynnwood. However when I took my first hike through Meadowdale, I didn’t really know what I was stepping into, until I joined the LEAF school and found out what I had been missing, an understanding of where I am and the role I play in this community.

This class has turned out to be about connections and renewal of spirit. Nothing I come in contact with each day of my life is mundane. The choices I make, the steps I take, affect the world I live in, and thus everyone else directly or indirectly.

When I plant evergreen huckleberry and shore pine in my yard, or when I plant western cedar and red osier dogwood along a creek, I think of the creatures that will enjoy the shade & eat the fruits and spread the seedlings. I may feel I am making a small difference, but it is a positive difference and that makes me happy.

For me, an effective service-learning experience would embed one with a tickle or giddiness that would require one to share their experience to the world. The foundation of this AfterWords blog is to allow us to reflect on our realization or revolution that may have occurred during L.E.A.F school or at an outside service project. Even though this fall quarter LEAF school’s service-learning experience is smaller in comparison to the full 300-hour, 15 credit summer LEAF school; your itch might be smaller but it’s still there.

In my previous reflection regarding the Summer LEAF School, I mention how this course has been the best thing that has ever happen to me. While this class has overwhelmed me with inspiration and motivation, I am grateful for this experience that I could not have gained though other EDCC courses and/or in personal life experiences. These community partners we worked with has also taught the course in another point of view aside from our professor and elaborated on the course materials that furthered our awareness. Through physical discomfort and service works, I appreciated our partner’s efforts in fighting for changes. They encourage and inspire me to continue in my attempts to try and save the world from itself.

Now I want to know what made you tickle…

Web links:
Nature Deprived. (another reflection)
L.E.A.F. photos

A fun site, http://www.wordle.net. Here’s the AfterWords wordle:

See the AfterWords Wordle bigger here.

The Sustainable Development Task Force of Snohomish County is hosting a New Years Gala 7:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Dec. 31 at Floral Hall-Forest Park in Everett. The event features a live swing band (Cheryl Serio & The Westside Five), a silent auction, three course dinner, and a recycle fashion show. Questions? Call Carolyn Hope at 206.465.9294 or email carjoyhope@gmail.com. Tickets are $100 to benefit The Sustainable Development Task Force.

Sounds like a sustainable way to start the New Year. Do you have any sustainability resolutions for 2009?

The college launched a new Restoration Horticulture degree (to train students to help restore damaged land, habitat, and ecosystems in a range of rural, suburban, and urban environments) as part of its sustainability efforts. For more information , call 425.640.1739 or email horticulture@edcc.edu. The winter classes are offered day, evening and online:

Pacific Northwest Land and Water Issues, Horticulture 249, 1-3:50 p.m., Tuesdays, learn about local resource management challenges.

Restoration Ecology, Horticulture 250, 6-8:50 p.m., Mondays, with some additional Saturday fieldtrips, learn techniques for replanting and repairing degraded and abandoned land as well as mitigating urbanization.

Sustainable Development, Geography 150, an online class that introduces sustainability issues in a global geographic framework. Discuss policy alternatives for the sustainability of resources, the environment, and society.

According to Washington State employment projections, the demand for qualified workers in restoration horticulture is expected to grow, with 2,000 jobs using restoration horticulture skills needed over the next 10 years.

It’d be great to hear from anyone who has taken some of these classes. What did you learn? What do you plan to do with your Restoration Horticulture degree?