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Murphy’s Bottom is located along the north bank of the Allegheny River in Armstrong County, (about 40 miles from Duquesne University) and it is the site of an on-going habitat mitigation project. The site encompasses approximately 100 acres. The dominant feature on the property is a 21-acre pond. The area to the west of that large pond is occupied by deciduous forest, portions of which are flooded.
In 2006, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection approached representatives of the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Duquesne University about participating in, and ultimately leading to the current Murphy’s Bottom Ecological Project.
The purpose of this project is to guide the reclamation, development, and subsequent use of the Murphy’s Bottom site, including:
- Habitat creation and enhancement.
- Long-term biological studies.
- Educational activities
The purpose of this field work activity is to establish Base-line data on the mixed mesophytic woodlands at Murphy’s Bottom.
Learning Objectives –
- How to take tree measurements.
- Techniques for identifying tree species.
- How to record tree data and compile a tree inventory.
By doing –
- Measurements along a belt transect to survey tree populations along with data on their size and age.
- Observations of river floodplain characteristics.
Then reflecting on –
- The importance of these trees to the biological health of Murphy’s Bottom.
- The impacts humans have had on this area.
- Strategies to help preserve and restore this habitat.
A special thank you is owed to Dr. Bonnie Isaacs, from the Department of Botany at the Carnegie Museum (www.carnegiemuseums.org), for her guidance and expertise.
Much of the Frick Park (http://www.pittsburghparks.org/Frick17.php), with its 455 acres of woodlands, is land once owned by industrialist Henry Clay Frick. As part of a 20-year master plan, the city is looking for ways to improve the woodlands, streams and trails for wildlife and an escape into the woods for residents of Squirrel Hill, Swissvale and Homewood.
There is a huge deer population which necessitates fences around new tree and planting to keep them from being eaten by the deer. Recommended carrying capacity is 19 deer/mile, but Frick Park presently has 130 deer/mile, which isn’t good!!!
The park is home to the Frick Environmental Center.
What we will be doing…
- Riparian planting of trees and shrubs along an intermediate stream.
- Riparian zones, those areas adjacent to streams, have an ability to filter water, provide shade, temperature control and provide food for both aquatic and terrestrial species of wildlife.
- Streamside areas are the link between land and water and vegetation is a vital component of a healthy stream ecosystem.
- Identify invasive species of plants and tug, pull and twist them up by their roots!
- The spread of invasive plants is considered a serious ecological problem that can result in habitat destruction. These aliens have been introduced into an environment where they did not evolve and often have no natural enemies. They are currently estimated to infest 30 percent of the acreage of the National Park System.
Shepherd Heart Fellowship started in 1993 when Mike and Tina Wurschmidt walked the streets of Oakland and started building relationships with the people who lived on the streets. Now the poor and the homeless have a place to come, eat and worship with our Lord. This option gives you the opportunity to work with the poor and the homeless, many of whom have addiction and/or mental health issues.
On July 6, our group of students in the URP will help with the initial setup and preparation o a barbecue supper. Participate in the 5:15 p.m. worship service. After the service, we will help serve the meal and then stay for clean-up. Please expect to spend time interacting with members of the Shepherd’s Heart congregation.
This summer camp is for teens that have completed grades 6 to 10. Its goal is to provide each camper with a creative and enriching experience. We, the URP volunteers, will provide the science! One major goal for us that day will be to show that it is cool to like science.
Project Activities…
- How does a plant grow?
- What is good soil for plants?
- Identification of common plants with their history.
- Math activities with trees.
There is a multitude of hands-on activities we can conduct with the campers that day. Your varied talents, ideas and interests can will be applied. |
