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Capstone Projects
Outdoor Classroom: Maintenance and Design
Mon, 05/02/2022 - 12:37
Abstract: Taking the classroom outside can have a wide variety of benefits for students' psychological and physical wellbeing. Paul Smith's College currently has one outdoor classroom on its campus as of the Spring 2022 semester to take advantage of these benefits. To expand outdoor learning for courses on Paul Smith's College Campus, we designed a second outdoor classroom. We received input from the Campus community through two survey we developed to discern the need for a second classroom, evaluate the existing classroom, evaluate the accommodations needed, and gain necessary information on other considerations for the design and location. Based on the survey results, using GIS to assess potential locations, and conducting interviews, we chose a site to focus on and developed a maintenance plan for the future management of both the existing and proposed classrooms.
Access: Yes
Literary Rights: Off
Major: Natural Resources Conservation and Management, Parks and Conservation Management, Sustainable Communities & Working Landscapes
Year: 2022
File Attachments: Outdoor Classroom Maintenance and Design.docx
Citizen Science: A Tool for Better Preserving Backcountry Infrastructure at Paul Smith’s College.
Mon, 05/02/2022 - 22:34
Abstract: The Adirondacks have been home to a many steward of its land. Paul Smith’s College prides itself in encouraging a culture which promotes this long-held ideology to preserve natural resources. It is a school which prides itself in its unique location as well as resources. One of these many resources is its extensive backcountry property and the plethora of structures located within it. Many of these structures are what’s known as lean-tos. Over the course of the 2022 Spring semester, the Parks and Recreation Capstone class surveyed and identified the conditions of 15/16 the school’s remaining lean-tos. A particularly outstanding issue with this however, was the resources and organization required of the school to collect this data. This research paper examines the positive values that the implementation of citizen science programs has had on a national level. Furthermore, my individual contribution to this class’s Capstone was the implementation of a volunteer fed databank exclusively used for the documenting of lean-tos in the Paul Smith’s College backcountry. The scope and intent of this project was to pass this resource on for further development and active use by Paul Smith’s College, related committees, and its backcountry maintenance initiatives.
Access: Yes
Literary Rights: Off
Major: Recreations, Adventure Travel and Ecotourism, Recreation, Adventure Education and Leisure Management, Parks, Recreation and Facilities Management, Parks and Conservation Management
Year: 2022
Benefits of Outdoor Learning for Students: Grades, Attention, ADHD/ADD, & Behavior
Sun, 05/01/2022 - 21:29
Abstract: This study examines the physical and physiological influences of outdoor learning on students. A majority of my research is based on studies and research done by others that assess the benefits of nature exposure on students' standardized test scores, attention, behavior, and overall student achievement. Through the use of an 18-question survey research was collected and data were examined in order to determine whether or not students felt satisfied or dissatisfied with outdoor classrooms. They were being assessed to see if they had different attitudes towards outdoor classrooms than indoor classrooms. The findings of this study are discussed in relation to the additional research found below.
Keywords: Outdoor classrooms, Outdoor learning, benefits of outdoor learning on attention, behavior, grades, etc.
Access: Yes
Literary Rights: Off
Major: Sustainable Communities & Working Landscapes
Year: 2022
Forest Health Assessment: Kate Mountain Farm
Fri, 07/08/2022 - 11:17
Abstract: Disturbances that degrade forested ecosystems can have significant impacts on forest health. These impacts should be of great concern for forest landowners. Natural disturbances such as insect and disease agents, and human caused disturbances such as logging, soil compaction, and pollution can have substantial economic and environmental impacts. It is of great importance for landowners to be given the right knowledge and tools to deal with these disturbances in order to avoid any large-scale losses of timber productivity, degraded water yields, depleted nutrient cycling, and/or decreased biodiversity. Forestland can provide many harvestable natural resources and ecosystem services for very long periods of time if they are managed sustainably and responsibly. This of course entails a forest being composed of healthy thriving trees.
Access: Yes
Literary Rights: On
Major: Biology, Environmental Sciences, Forestry
Year: 2021
File Attachments: CAPSTONE_masterdoc_4.30_Matthew Wedge.docx
A.P. Smith Rod and Gun Club-Workshop Curriculum
Thu, 07/07/2022 - 14:37
Abstract: A report centered around outdoor education workshops to be hosted by a proposed Fishing and Shooting Club. Pertaining to lesson plans centered around Trap Shooting, Bushcrafting, and Fishing. The use of the Kinesthetic Learning Model is heavily put to use in developing this curriculum.
Access: Yes
Literary Rights: On
Major: Ecological Restoration, Forestry, Natural Resources Conservation and Management, Recreations, Adventure Travel and Ecotourism, Recreation, Adventure Education and Leisure Management
Year: 2021
File Attachments: Eoghan Walsh-Capstone-A.P.Smith Rod and Gun C_Eoghan Walsh.docx
Shoot for Sustainability
Mon, 07/18/2022 - 13:50
Abstract: Successfully educating non-hunters and prospective hunters on why it is better to use the woods as a source of food, rather than driving 15 minutes to the grocery store is one of the possible solutions to global carbon and Greenhouse gas problems. Furthermore, taking a non-hunter to the shooting range can give current ethical hunters the opportunity for the ultimate hands-on elevator pitch. After the enjoyable activity, we as current hunters can convey our message to them: Hunting is less popular method to acquire food. However, utilizing fossil fuel emitting vehicles and checkbooks as a tool for food isn't the best option either. It was essential to dictate the importance of hunting to, quite especially, the non-hunters we invited. By doing this we can collectively come together and combat many of the problems that are caused by the factory farming system in the U.S.
Switching to a primarily wild game diet when it comes to meat consumption among humans will drastically reduce the presence of factory farms around the world, thus aiding us in becoming more carbon neutral. With less demand for the factory farm model that is currently used by industrial agriculture today, we can dedicate the many invaluable resources dedicated to other important efforts such as the looming global warming threat. Humans of the earth are losing time when it comes to climate change. Global governmental actions to mitigate this awakening dragon should have been implemented since the first industrial revolution over a hundred years ago.
For our study we wanted to examine if educating more people on hunting and hunting practices can it lead to a more sustainable future for future generations and the future of our planet.
Access: Yes
Literary Rights: On
Major: Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Conservation and Management
Year: 2021
File Attachments: Shoot for Sustainabilityv2_Ryan Thomas.docx
A.P. Smith's Rod & Gun Club Trap Field Design
Thu, 07/07/2022 - 13:06
Abstract: Modern trap shooting has retained many of these concepts but now uses an oscillating target-throwing machine that rests in a trap house and uses clay targets instead of costly glass balls. The clay target was invented and patented in 1880 by George Ligowsky of the U.S. The design was a small dome shaped saucer. The machine throws a clay target somewhere within a 22-degree arc. The shooter does not know the angle it will be thrown until it comes out of the machine and into view. The modern game also does not include a fence that the target needs to be shot inside and only allows one shot. Many improvements have come to the clay target as the clay was baked hard and difficult to break with the 1.25 oz shots that was used at the time. In 1888, Corgell and Harrison created targets that were made of lime and pitch which is still seen some today, but a more biodegradable pigeon has been called desired. Some new innovations for these pigeons have included using sugar, birdseed or grain, and water.
A trap range make sense for a variety of reasons on the Onchiota property. One there are no ranges in close proximity to the college and the closest being in Long Lake, NY. There is also a high demand in the area. With the trap range at the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club being forced to shut down in the recent years due to lead ammunition contaminants and clay target remnants being projected into the Saranac River, leaves a hole in the surrounding community. Also, one of the main attractions to Rod & Gun clubs are trap ranges.
Access: Yes
Literary Rights: On
Major: Forestry, Natural Resources Conservation and Management, Recreations, Adventure Travel and Ecotourism
Year: 2021
File Attachments: Capstone Trap Field Final 1_Drew Gleason.docx
Trail System Development at the A.P. Smith Rod & Gun Club
Thu, 07/07/2022 - 13:13
Abstract: Much of the 600 acres of the land Paul Smith's College in Onchiota, NY contains trails that expand most of the property. Discussed in this report is the three phase guides to the trails on the North side of the property.
Access: Yes
Literary Rights: On
Major: Forestry
Year: 2021
File Attachments: Capstone_Trails_Kirkum_Kassie Kirkum.docx
Kate Mountain Farm Inventory Report and Prescription Recommendations
Mon, 07/11/2022 - 15:42
Abstract: This document outlines the results of the 2021 inventory of Kate Mountain Farm in Loon Lake, New York, and provides detailed prescription and recommendation based of the data collected.
Access: Yes
Literary Rights: On
Major: Forestry
Year: 2021
File Attachments: Final KMF written_Jonathan Seiter.docx
Transitioning Forested Land Into Blueberry Fields at Kate Mountain Farm
Mon, 07/11/2022 - 15:47
Abstract: Historically the Adirondacks have had the reputation of being a poor site for most agricultural practices, with few crops taking well to the sandy soils and short growing season. One of the most well know exceptions to this trend are the fields of blueberries that can be found scattered throughout the region. Both naturally occurring and cultivated by man, blueberries are a great crop for landowners looking to grow fruit on otherwise unproductive soils. This report will outline the process to implement and manage blueberry fields at Kate Mountain Farm, as well as discuss important impacts and factors that come with managing a blueberry crop.
Access: Yes
Literary Rights: On
Major: Forestry
Year: 2021
File Attachments: Quaile Capstone Transitioning to Blueberry Fi_Austin Quaile.docx