Last evenings meeting included a presentation and a proposal by an entomology professor from a local college. He and our new chapter president had kicked around the idea and, if implemented, it will be mutually beneficial on several counts. The professor took his class to a local river not far from the campus and they spent some time collecting samples of insects and later on identifying their “collections” in the lab. One student approached the professor and now wants to do an in-depth study project of the insect life in various areas of the river. Couldn’t have happened at a better time cause the “city” (after one of those 20 year studies - really!) wanted to relieve periodic flooding and now the Army Corp of Engineers has started “renovating” the landscape of the river. You know, of course, that this means they “straightened, cleared, channelized and improved” the first of a few sections - right! The river now has a "greenway walking area, no trees or vegetation allowed/planted within 100 feet of the river, all cover removed from the riverbed, banks that have been widened, higher berms and all the other good stuff you’d expect with this kind of project. The student wants to sample the insect life in several areas of the river with a report to follow. The professor expects a continuing project with other students to follow, if this takes off, and cooperation between the college and our local TU chapter. Funding for the student would be about $500.00, of which our president already has a commitment from state TU for $250.00. The project received enthusiastic support from the members at the meeting. We are also going to help in the collection of the insect life with standardized kits, labeling when and where they are taken from etc. Looking forward to the comparisons of various sections of the river; especially to see the impact of the “new and improved version.”
[This message has been edited by Grn Mt Man (edited 16 March 2006).]
[This message has been edited by Grn Mt Man (edited 16 March 2006).]