Biology Exhibition Reflection
In biology this semester, we went to Durango Nature Studies, we learned about the ecosystem and we chose a project topic from the following problems we are having in Durango and/or around the world: Mega-Fires, Pacific Garbage Patch, Colonial Collapse Disorder and Human/Bear conflict. I chose Human/Bear conflict. For this project we did some background research on the problem and the history of the problem. Then we came up with management plans on how to control or exterminate the problem. We came up with budget plans and timelines that contributed to this management plan. We displayed these management plans along with pictures and our timelines and budgets on a poster board. The exhibition went really well and I learned a lot.
My strongest management strategy in my management plan is to mandate bear proof trashcans around the city of Durango. I believe that this is my strongest management strategy because one of the biggest problems with the bears is that they are getting into people’s trashcans for an easy meal due to the lack of natural resources. There is a big lack of natural resources for the bears due to deforestation and mega fires. When the bears get into trashcans for food, it teaches them that it is okay and that they can come back because they will be fed. Bears are naturally weary towards humans and they will naturally try to avoid humans. Since bears can get easy access of food from trashcans, they become less and less weary of humans. This is what leads to human/bear conflict.
A few skills that I have learned throughout this project is how to research for scholarly articles and how to use them for information. I also learned how to use Excel and how to use in-text citations. One of the most important things I have learned is how to write in Objective and Technical writing. The most important thing I have learned about ecology is that bears play a big role in the ecology system here in Durango since they are predatory animals. They keep the ecosystem going and they keep it healthy. This project changed my view on human bear conflict because having just moved here from Hawaii, I thought that the main reason for human bear conflict was because bears were naturally aggressive animals and that was the main reason people got attacked. Now, having done this project, I have learned that bears become desensitized to humans because we give them easy meals and this leads to human bear conflict.
I had a really fun time learning about this problem and thinking about different ways to come up with solutions to stop the problem. I think the exhibition went really well and I am looking forward to the next one!
In biology this semester, we went to Durango Nature Studies, we learned about the ecosystem and we chose a project topic from the following problems we are having in Durango and/or around the world: Mega-Fires, Pacific Garbage Patch, Colonial Collapse Disorder and Human/Bear conflict. I chose Human/Bear conflict. For this project we did some background research on the problem and the history of the problem. Then we came up with management plans on how to control or exterminate the problem. We came up with budget plans and timelines that contributed to this management plan. We displayed these management plans along with pictures and our timelines and budgets on a poster board. The exhibition went really well and I learned a lot.
My strongest management strategy in my management plan is to mandate bear proof trashcans around the city of Durango. I believe that this is my strongest management strategy because one of the biggest problems with the bears is that they are getting into people’s trashcans for an easy meal due to the lack of natural resources. There is a big lack of natural resources for the bears due to deforestation and mega fires. When the bears get into trashcans for food, it teaches them that it is okay and that they can come back because they will be fed. Bears are naturally weary towards humans and they will naturally try to avoid humans. Since bears can get easy access of food from trashcans, they become less and less weary of humans. This is what leads to human/bear conflict.
A few skills that I have learned throughout this project is how to research for scholarly articles and how to use them for information. I also learned how to use Excel and how to use in-text citations. One of the most important things I have learned is how to write in Objective and Technical writing. The most important thing I have learned about ecology is that bears play a big role in the ecology system here in Durango since they are predatory animals. They keep the ecosystem going and they keep it healthy. This project changed my view on human bear conflict because having just moved here from Hawaii, I thought that the main reason for human bear conflict was because bears were naturally aggressive animals and that was the main reason people got attacked. Now, having done this project, I have learned that bears become desensitized to humans because we give them easy meals and this leads to human bear conflict.
I had a really fun time learning about this problem and thinking about different ways to come up with solutions to stop the problem. I think the exhibition went really well and I am looking forward to the next one!