Field Trips and Internships

Again, I’ve been pretty busy the past couple weeks :)

I went on a field trip around Perth with my Environment and Coastal Planning class.  In the morning, we went to six different sites outside Perth to evaluate the areas.  We looked at the Bassendean Dunes, Pinjarra Plains, Spearwood woodlands and wetlands—and of course the coast.  All of these are a part of government protected areas.  However, unlike America’s reserved land, these areas were unmarked and kind of randomly chosen.  We rode from place to place and you couldn’t recognize where you were going until there was a break in the fencing and wiring.  Our professor talked to us about the areas and we identified plant species.  In the afternoon, we administered surveys to people in Rockingham about attending beaches, coastal development and climate change.  However, my group was dropped off at the train station to give out the surveys and the security guard said we were prohibited from giving out surveys--our professor didn’t get permission.  So three teenage boys and I sat around for an hour at a somewhat crime-ridden part of Rockingham waiting for the bus to pick us up.  At least I got some sun.

The field trip with my Sustainable Development and Environmental Uncertainty class went a bit more smoothly.  We traveled to nine different sites outside of Perth, including some river sites, government parks and residential developments.  There are many projects regarding the oxygenation and sedimentation of the Swan River.  Also, since many residential areas are built on floodplains, water management and housing regulations are important when planning new towns.  One area flooded about 3m above ground, so all house floor levels must be built 0.3m above that watermark.  The developments funded by the government are largely debated because, even though many of them have solar panels to be more energy efficient, they clear land that was once valuable in terms of water movement.  In one senior residential home, the community members (basically one older man and his mates) created an artificial wetland by moving around some soil, placing piping in the ground and revegetating the area.  I always thought that artificial wetlands were more technological and required machinery—but in this case it worked fine with some determined community planning.

I also visited the Art Museum of Western Australia.  The museum is currently featuring many Indigenous Australian pieces—many of which are extraordinary.  Some are very ‘typical’ and are dot paintings, wood carvings and kind of simple artwork that reflect the ‘traditional’ indigenous lifestyle.  But others were really contemporary and involve political and social commentary—usually concerning Indigenous Australian history with settlers, assimilation and religion.  I really enjoyed all the artwork and will definitely be revisit the museum for future exhibits.

I also saw the show “Belong” performed by the world renown Bangarra Dance Company at State Theatre in Perth.  The Bangarra Dance Company is a group of Indigenous Australians based in Sydney who usually dance contemporary pieces.  The music was very eclectic and technological, like a mix of techno, dubstep and rock.  The dancing was beautiful and exciting.

I also had my first day volunteering with SERCUL (South East Regional Centre for Urban Landscape).  As two course credits for Kalamazoo, we’re required to volunteer a certain number of hours, attend a volunteering class (we talk about our experiences and also learn about Australian history as well as political, social, economic and environmental issues) and also complete an ICRP.  Because of communication issues, I started late—but regardless, I am so glad that I started.  I got up super early in the morning to catch a bus, a train and walk about a mile to find this place.  SERCUL is an NGO located in a white house with forest green shutters.  There’s a no-flush toilet and endless supply of drip coffee and cookies (Australians usually drink instant coffee so I the drip coffee is really exciting to me).  The organization works with the City of Canning and other not-for-profit plant nurseries in order to partake in community river restoration and revegetation programs.  What it means for me is removing invasive species, planting endemic ones and maybe even doing some water quality testing and macroinvertebrate sampling.  It was so great to be outside and getting some physical work in—I could see the progress we were making as the day passed.  The work I did was very rewarding and the people I worked with were super friendly.

I start my second internship with Armadale Wildlife and Reptile Centre on Monday.  I just got an email about coming around to the back gate in order to get in before the centre opens (meaning I’ll get the insider look).  I’ll probably start doing food prep with my boss—it brings me back to my Seattle Aquarium days—and my Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium days.  I really do enjoy working with animals and working outside.  (And as a small plus, I’ve been beginning to tan!)  We’ll see how this next week goes.  My class just got cancelled tomorrow so I may be going surfing instead.