I believe that my nature place will face a lot of challenges within the next couple years. One main issue being the soil. If they decide to make it officially a tailgate area and remove most of the plants and trees it will cause a lot of species to die or even cause animals to relocate to somewhere else. Also this place faces the ability to have more buildings built on it. If the school decides to expand the Devault Alumni Center or add a parking lot behind because of the new basketball facility, the place would not be a place to relax and visit anymore. Another challenge that my nature place faces is the threat losing its resources. What I mean by that is that students would decide to plant trees and flowers elsewhere on campus instead of putting them in a place that people do not visit as much of other locations on campus.
As I look at my nature place I think that in five years the place will have more plants and trees planted there. After those five years I can see the school adding a parking lot behind there because of the addition to the basketball facility and the new baseball field being built. Also they will need more parking for Briscoe and McNutt dorms because they will use up all the spots at assembly for sport activities only. That is what I see this place evolving into because of the way things are shaping up around campus now and the expansion to everything around campus.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Nature Journal 11
I think with my nature place I would change the entire landscape. I would want it to be the most desired place to be on campus. Like people visiting the Zoo or Museum, that is how I would want them to come to this location just to escape and see the nature that is lurking in their own backyard.
I would chop down some of the trees that look to old and plant new ones that only grow in certain states and countries to represent the diversity that we have here at Indiana University. I would do the same for flowers by planting them along a trail creating a pathway up to the back of the Devault Alumni Center as well as to McNutt and 12th street. This area would have to be maintained and kept safe all the time to make sure animals do not get in and destroy the plants. So it would only have to be kept open during the day and locked up during the night by a 6ft gate.
I think that this would be a great improvement because the campus does not have that many places that are so intriguing and that attracts everyone. Students will feel right at home when they see the plants or trees from their home state. I think that it would open the doors for the science department to even take part and do studies with the area to see how some of these different trees can survive or adapt in a different environment.
I would chop down some of the trees that look to old and plant new ones that only grow in certain states and countries to represent the diversity that we have here at Indiana University. I would do the same for flowers by planting them along a trail creating a pathway up to the back of the Devault Alumni Center as well as to McNutt and 12th street. This area would have to be maintained and kept safe all the time to make sure animals do not get in and destroy the plants. So it would only have to be kept open during the day and locked up during the night by a 6ft gate.
I think that this would be a great improvement because the campus does not have that many places that are so intriguing and that attracts everyone. Students will feel right at home when they see the plants or trees from their home state. I think that it would open the doors for the science department to even take part and do studies with the area to see how some of these different trees can survive or adapt in a different environment.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Nature Journal 10
By Darius Willis
By Darius Willis
By Darius WillisMy nature place consists of a lot of plants that are being grown by and managed by the Alumni Building Maintenance. They take care of the plants and the area as you can see from the pictures. Over the years the senior class of Indiana University gets together and plants some trees and plants. I do not know the detail of this but on every tree that is planted it tells the name of the tree and the senior class that planted it.
So the vegetation that I captured is of a Red Maple also called Acer Rubrum, Silver Maple called Acer Saccharinum, Daffodils also called Narcissus, and the Dogwood Tree called Benthamidia Florida. Without these trees growing in this area it would not be a pretty place to relax and think at all. Other plants that I would expect to see would be daisies or roses. But I think the number of weeds out grows the plants in this area thanks to all the dandelions. I think for those flowers to grow you need a healthy clean environment with fresh fruit and water around. So the reason why these flowers grow here is because they are common among any location.
So the one that caught my attention is the dogwood tree because of all the white flowers that it has on it. It can be labeled as the as a spring tree because home-owners and landscapers like to grow them. Some characteristic for it is it needs good soil and you have to water them weekly so that it gets many nutrients. But the tree can be dangerous as well. Dogwood anthracnose is a disease that it gets when the leaves are light brown (treehelp.com).
http://www.dogwood-tree.com/dogwood-borer.htm
Monday, April 5, 2010
Nature Journal 9
As you can see in my sketch some animals that I decided to post was a bird which Latin name happens to be Avis, groundhog Latin name marmota monax, frog Latin name canus lupis, and rabbit which Latin name is cuniculus.
the animal that I was interested in knowing about was the rabbit. There are sorts of rabbit types but the one I am more focused on is the wild rabbit. They typically live in thickets, forests, meadows, and the woods according to rabbit habitat. Rabbits like a moderate climate, so I see why they wouldn't mind being a pet. Rabbits are very quiet and can be loud when they scream if they are frightened and knocks on the ground to warn other animals that danger approaches. Other than that they are not angry creatures if bothered they just use their speed to get away quickly.
Some other animals that I could have saw would be a deer. But it probably doesn't come around until there are less people outside so that it can feed on the plants. The main animal that dominants this area I think are squirrels. They like this habitat because they have all the food that surrounds them and plenty of space to live free without their tree getting chopped down.
http://courses.ttu.edu/thomas/classpet/1998/rabbit1/new_page_2.htm
http://www.petwebsite.com/rabbits/rabbits_behavior.htm
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Nature Journal 8
picture by Darius Willis
picture by Darius Willis
picture by Darius WillisSome signs that you can notice when the weather changes from the winter to more warmer weather is the plants. This includes the grass because when it is cold the ground is hard and the grass can not grow because it gets no sunlight if the snow is covering it. You can see all the holes in the ground and tell where plants are growing as well as mushrooms and onion grass. Some tracks that you couldn’t notice before was spider webs. They are all over the trees and little bushes and that always gives me goose bumps because I dislike spiders. You can see all the bird nests as well and bird droppings in the grass. Which leaves to dog droppings as well from people walking their dogs all around the area. Also the leaves are growing compared to in the winter when there are no leaves on the trees at all. A sign of human life is if there is trash on the ground from littering or food dropped on the ground. Another track that is noticeable is from the groundhogs, that have dirt paths all over the place.
Although you can notice some signs in the warmer weather I think that winter is easier because you can notice all of the tracks from all of the different kinds of animals that have surfaced the area. You can also see stains or droppings from all the animals and trace of food that they left behind. Having the snow on the ground makes it easier to track footsteps. So I think that Austin makes a reasonable statement about the winter time
Monday, March 8, 2010
nature Journal 7
Well for one you can tell this place has changed because of the ground is not frozen. Though the trees are still leafless, I give until the week after spring break and you will see the leafs on the trees starting to grow as well as plants growing all over the landscape. Winter is officially over. Spring is upon us, and as it approaches this nature place will be filled with all kinds of animals and insects. One thing that I noticed was that they planted new trees all over the area. And in some areas that was low on grass they are trying to make it grow. The nature place will be evolving slowly into a beautiful spring like area filled with happiness and joy for those who use its wonders. The season has changed once again and this place will take on new tasks.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Nature Journal 6
(photo by indiana maps database)
(photo by historicmaps.comAs I have studied this nature place it has become very hard to fine tune what this area really was. Since there is a creek nearby I can say that this place was designed to be like this. A former president of the university once said, “To cut a tree unnecessarily has long been an act of treason against our heritage and the loyalty, love, and effort of our predecessors who have preserved it for us. So when this campus was drawn out it was planned that this be a beautiful place filled with plants and trees, to make the campus of Bloomington stand out.
This location today contains many plants and trees not as many as before thanks to tailgating though. But this area was used for recreation. It was once a park where people could come enjoy the beautiful scenery of gardens and trees and smell the freshness of the air. This area was reserved to serve a purpose on campus and that was to maintain as a beautiful grassy display area. The land use to have a couple of homes as well but they were moved when the land was bought. Now the edition of the Devault Alumni Center occupies some of the space since its completion in 1997. By taking a look at the area you can tell that it has been a plain area for some time now. But as the Indiana achieves show, back in 1887 the university did not even extend this far. So the area could have even been used as farm land since there was so much space and not many streets reached to the 45/46 extension.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Nature Journal 5
It is minute one, and to me it has been the longest minute of my entire life. The great volcanic eruption has just occurred ending the time of the dinosaurs era. As the air is filled with smog and dust, shiny particles of some sort are blending with the ground causing it to form new pavement. The sky is now blue once again filled with new species of birds and flying insects. The grass is so beautiful and refreshing. The lake nearby draws all of the animals to it making this land of use once again.
To the next minute I go as I see the first pilgrims arrive wearing funny clothing and speaking unfamiliar languages. In these times people loved nature for what it was and tried to protect it by keeping things fresh and plant life growing. Then here comes evil men on their horses burning their homes destroying the land and taking people as slaves. The land has to grow once again thanks to the evil spirits who forgot why we are here for. The land is beautiful again hidden from the rest of the world until it is time for history to be changed again. He has now arrived The Great Christopher Columbus has found what the rest of the world has not been able to see other life.
In the halfway point minute three, is the time of revolution. For decades now the land has been fought over with swords, guns, and massive cannons. The world is greedy and nature has no way to help it. After each battle the land takes a different shape as well as new look. Technology is advancing each and every moment, buildings are being built and land being destroyed for other use. Some plants have become extinct things to the touch from men. The nights are not quite anymore, the streets are filled with movers and thieves.
Where has all the time gone. It is minute four and I can here the trains coming from the south filled with slaves from the south trying to escape from hell. I can see them as they sprint through the woods drinking from the creek and eating the fresh fruit of the farmers land. Thanks to man great leaders who sacrificed their lives those days are gone. Now it is the time of the roaring 1920’s filled with characters from The Great Gatsby. It is just like he said it people had no idea of the American Dream. The Dream was being lost away by the way they treated others as well as the land. Now The Great Depression has changed all of that. From afar I see a paper soaring through the air saying Hoover Ville. For a second I forgot that I was still standing here.
The last minute I saw children turn into men and woman turn into voters in the blink of an eye. Wars came and many lives were taken. But with that came a new beginning. The world has evolved so much from ancient times. The land has seen many faces and many special nights. After all that it is still here. Americans were getting smarter and life was growing once again. I see the completion of the Devault Alumni Center and the new look of a sacred location. Here I stand at the belly of the beast not knowing what it might show me next. Only I know its true powers. But we all have the power to keep the land protected. When nature calls what will we do then. Our times have passed like rain on the mountains. The time of nature revolution is now.
To the next minute I go as I see the first pilgrims arrive wearing funny clothing and speaking unfamiliar languages. In these times people loved nature for what it was and tried to protect it by keeping things fresh and plant life growing. Then here comes evil men on their horses burning their homes destroying the land and taking people as slaves. The land has to grow once again thanks to the evil spirits who forgot why we are here for. The land is beautiful again hidden from the rest of the world until it is time for history to be changed again. He has now arrived The Great Christopher Columbus has found what the rest of the world has not been able to see other life.
In the halfway point minute three, is the time of revolution. For decades now the land has been fought over with swords, guns, and massive cannons. The world is greedy and nature has no way to help it. After each battle the land takes a different shape as well as new look. Technology is advancing each and every moment, buildings are being built and land being destroyed for other use. Some plants have become extinct things to the touch from men. The nights are not quite anymore, the streets are filled with movers and thieves.
Where has all the time gone. It is minute four and I can here the trains coming from the south filled with slaves from the south trying to escape from hell. I can see them as they sprint through the woods drinking from the creek and eating the fresh fruit of the farmers land. Thanks to man great leaders who sacrificed their lives those days are gone. Now it is the time of the roaring 1920’s filled with characters from The Great Gatsby. It is just like he said it people had no idea of the American Dream. The Dream was being lost away by the way they treated others as well as the land. Now The Great Depression has changed all of that. From afar I see a paper soaring through the air saying Hoover Ville. For a second I forgot that I was still standing here.
The last minute I saw children turn into men and woman turn into voters in the blink of an eye. Wars came and many lives were taken. But with that came a new beginning. The world has evolved so much from ancient times. The land has seen many faces and many special nights. After all that it is still here. Americans were getting smarter and life was growing once again. I see the completion of the Devault Alumni Center and the new look of a sacred location. Here I stand at the belly of the beast not knowing what it might show me next. Only I know its true powers. But we all have the power to keep the land protected. When nature calls what will we do then. Our times have passed like rain on the mountains. The time of nature revolution is now.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Nature Journal 4
When I close my eyes and stand in the middle of this beautiful peace of God’s creation, I smell the flowers blossoming like the form of a caterpillar as it shifts into it’s butterfly stage. Every time that you walk by you can smell the fresh scent of the trees that were cut down as though they were still standing. Like they say when you smell something a couple of times over your lifetime it sticks with you. That is what this land does for those who believe in the smell of nature and allows it to live without them whether you are nearby or miles away, the smell of this fresh air will never leave you.
My nature place also gives me great feelings. When I am here I can wonder off and escape from the rest of the world around me. It causes my action potentials to speed up rapidly sending signals to my brain enabling me to feel like I am apart of the nature myself. As my eyes are closed I feel like I am an Avatar running along with all the animals and connecting with nature as if I am married to it. I feel the touch from the mosquitoes as they tear apart my arms and legs causing me to inch badly. But the touch of nature has cast a spell on me causing me stay longer and think of more mind-escaping thoughts.
As I stand here my taste buds are racing from the smell of the onion grass. I might not eat onions but the smell of this makes me feel like I am eating onions that taste as if my mom were to make them. The sweetness smell of the all the plants make me feel like I am eating some of my favorite candy. The taste of this place makes me feel like I am in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory but full of tree and plant candy that taste very sour.
Unlike the things that I taste, smell, and feel and has nothing to do with the things that I am hearing. As my eyes continue to stay closed I feel like I am drifting back in time to when this area was never touched by human hand. It’s as if I have went back to the gathering of all the plants and animals that used to live here secretly from the rest of the world. As I am here I hear the trees talking about the new way of how humans cut down trees to use them as firewood. The trees are scared that they will never be able to carry the tradition from their ancestors of watching over the land. The animals fear that they will all be hunted and killed off. The plants think that they will be cooked on a pot and not be able to grow and expand creating new life. After the gathering I here a voice from afar telling me to save us. As I open my eyes I feel, smell, taste, and hear no more. It’s as if it were all a dream and nature does not exist in reality.
My nature place also gives me great feelings. When I am here I can wonder off and escape from the rest of the world around me. It causes my action potentials to speed up rapidly sending signals to my brain enabling me to feel like I am apart of the nature myself. As my eyes are closed I feel like I am an Avatar running along with all the animals and connecting with nature as if I am married to it. I feel the touch from the mosquitoes as they tear apart my arms and legs causing me to inch badly. But the touch of nature has cast a spell on me causing me stay longer and think of more mind-escaping thoughts.
As I stand here my taste buds are racing from the smell of the onion grass. I might not eat onions but the smell of this makes me feel like I am eating onions that taste as if my mom were to make them. The sweetness smell of the all the plants make me feel like I am eating some of my favorite candy. The taste of this place makes me feel like I am in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory but full of tree and plant candy that taste very sour.
Unlike the things that I taste, smell, and feel and has nothing to do with the things that I am hearing. As my eyes continue to stay closed I feel like I am drifting back in time to when this area was never touched by human hand. It’s as if I have went back to the gathering of all the plants and animals that used to live here secretly from the rest of the world. As I am here I hear the trees talking about the new way of how humans cut down trees to use them as firewood. The trees are scared that they will never be able to carry the tradition from their ancestors of watching over the land. The animals fear that they will all be hunted and killed off. The plants think that they will be cooked on a pot and not be able to grow and expand creating new life. After the gathering I here a voice from afar telling me to save us. As I open my eyes I feel, smell, taste, and hear no more. It’s as if it were all a dream and nature does not exist in reality.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Nature Journal 3
If this area would never been touched by humans, what a beautiful place it would have been. It is hard to even grasp on the outlook that this four acre land would be like. I can picture a forest with plants growing and tons of new species that would go untouched with no fertilizer to destroy it. Animals could run freely and live without the fear of being hunted. The grass would be as high as the Great Pyramid of Egypt and glow when the sun is at its highest peak. That is what any land would look like without human touch I suppose. But unlike other locations this one is special.
You get a sense that other things go on here. As humans we take things for granted and do not see or feel things like nature does. For instance, the trees that were cut down in this area was the home for many other species or belonged to a family of trees that existed before we could even see. This place seems to have a lot of memory. Probably going way back to the dinosaur age where battles upon battles happened and the ones who fell behind blew away like the wind full of dust and ashes. I can see this place being a hot spot for many animals because there is water close by in each direction.
Nature is always taken advantage of each and everyday. Our society has forgotten about the key features of life and the value of that we all share the same sunlight. Not just each individual human but the animals, plants, insects, unknown species, and even the very air that we breathe as we take every breath. I feel that this wonderful place has lost its beauty thanks to our industrialized ways. I believe that if this land was never touched it could possibly be one of the most sacred places in the state of Indiana.
You get a sense that other things go on here. As humans we take things for granted and do not see or feel things like nature does. For instance, the trees that were cut down in this area was the home for many other species or belonged to a family of trees that existed before we could even see. This place seems to have a lot of memory. Probably going way back to the dinosaur age where battles upon battles happened and the ones who fell behind blew away like the wind full of dust and ashes. I can see this place being a hot spot for many animals because there is water close by in each direction.
Nature is always taken advantage of each and everyday. Our society has forgotten about the key features of life and the value of that we all share the same sunlight. Not just each individual human but the animals, plants, insects, unknown species, and even the very air that we breathe as we take every breath. I feel that this wonderful place has lost its beauty thanks to our industrialized ways. I believe that if this land was never touched it could possibly be one of the most sacred places in the state of Indiana.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Nature Journal 2
In this picture you can see that there are many trees and a lot of plant life. Some animals that I have seen at this location are: squrrel, rabbits, beavers, groundhogs, birds, and many insects that feed off of all the plants and sap from the trees. One time I saw a deer early in the morning and was shocked because it came all the way to this area to feed off of the plants. In the field, which you can not tell in the picture but it is very steep in some locations and there is a giant hole where i think beavers live. The picture of the maple tree was grown there and I believe there are four more trees like that one or similar to it.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Nature Journal 1
<
Photo by: Darius Willis>
Photo by: Darius Willis>
For my nature destination the location I decided to choose was the field behind the Devault Alumni Center. It was just a perfect place for me since I go by there everyday, and I feel that it has a lot of history. The Devault Alumni Center is located on 1000 East 17th street here in Bloomington. or you could just say its located across from Assembly Hall and the new practice facility. It's size I would roughly say in between 3 to 5 acres that is filled with all types of trees and animal life. If you stand in the back of the center and look towards the business school you will notice Briscoe and McNutt Dorms to your left, and to the right a couple of houses and other fields.
This peace of land is loaded with many different types of trees and plenty of grass space to play around. If you walk along the field you would notice that it is very hilly and there are some boulders and cut down trees throughout the area. There are some plants and flowers that grow throughout the field when the weather is warm, but none as of now. Some attributes of this location is that it is a wonderful place to relax and read a book when the weather is nice. I remember when I stayed in the McNutt my freshman year and I would walk out back and see people playing or just laying down to get a tan or just go out and enjoy the scenery. Other than that it is a nice place to get a run if you feel the need to get in shape. With all the space it has to move around along with the sight seeing, you can take a jog and get a smell of all the fresh flowers in the summer time. As of summer and as well as the spring time I believe that it is one of the most beautiful places on campus. I think humans use this in many ways. One way is for tailgating for the football games and another is for parties because of the space and location. Also I noticed last year they used the area for ll of the seniors graduating by having booths set up along the back and activities to do. On my first insight of the area I think that this location has a lot of history and interesting things that go on other than human life.
This peace of land is loaded with many different types of trees and plenty of grass space to play around. If you walk along the field you would notice that it is very hilly and there are some boulders and cut down trees throughout the area. There are some plants and flowers that grow throughout the field when the weather is warm, but none as of now. Some attributes of this location is that it is a wonderful place to relax and read a book when the weather is nice. I remember when I stayed in the McNutt my freshman year and I would walk out back and see people playing or just laying down to get a tan or just go out and enjoy the scenery. Other than that it is a nice place to get a run if you feel the need to get in shape. With all the space it has to move around along with the sight seeing, you can take a jog and get a smell of all the fresh flowers in the summer time. As of summer and as well as the spring time I believe that it is one of the most beautiful places on campus. I think humans use this in many ways. One way is for tailgating for the football games and another is for parties because of the space and location. Also I noticed last year they used the area for ll of the seniors graduating by having booths set up along the back and activities to do. On my first insight of the area I think that this location has a lot of history and interesting things that go on other than human life.
Photo by: Darius Willis
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)