1. The Nature of Learning!
Photo courtesy of Ellen Banner
Nature of Learning Grant: Gaining a better understanding of wildlife at NNWR
and the effects of climate change with the help of student NatureMapping.
6. The
Nisqually
Indians
were the
first people
to live in
the area.
The Nisqually people were first known as “Squally-absch”,
meaning “people of the grass country”.
Americans later changed the spelling to Nisqually.
9. !"#$%&'($)%*#&+,(-&
In 1904 A.L. Brown bought 850 acres along McAllister
Creek, as well as 1,500 acres along the Nisqually River
Delta, building a earthen dike to keep the salt water
out of the low delta lands.
10.
11. Many plans were proposed for the delta, including a landfill
!"#$!$#%%&$'!(%)$&*)(+$
12. Luckily, there were conservationists and activists who worked with
state and federal officials to protect the Delta from development.
13. In 1974, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
established Nisqually National Wildlife
Refuge to be managed as part of the
National Wildlife Refuge System.
19. Greenhouse gases (water vapor, CO2, CH4, N2O) play a !
critical role in determining global temperature !
Rapid increases in greenhouse gases are
changing this natural balance
21. Projected Increases in PNW Temp!
14.4°
F
+5.9ºF
(2.8-9.7ºF)
10.8°
F
+3.5ºF
(1.6-5.2ºF) 7.2°
F
°C
+2.2ºF
(1.1-3.4ºF)
3.6°
F
0°F
• Rate of change expected to be 3x greater
Changes relative
• Warming expected in all seasons, greatest in summer to 1970-1999
22. Importance of Nisqually Wetlands!
Wetlands function as:
• sponges
• as buffers!against storms
• as sources of fresh water and food
• excellent carbon storage!
Disturbance of the Nisqually wetlands could release 45-89% of the
carbon that is being stored through sequestration (burial).
29. Nearly every glacier in the
Cascades and Olympics
has retreated during the
past 50-150 years!
South Cascade
Glacier, 1928 (top) and
2000 (right)!
Photos courtesy of Dr. Ed Josberger, USGS
Glacier Group, Tacoma, WA
33. NatureMapping links diverse groups together
Retired natural through active participation in science and
resource the use of emerging technologies… Business…
professionals…
34. Global Climate Change!
Change will happen - will
we be prepared?
Who is monitoring ?
NatureMapping has always intended to be
proactive. The Program goals mesh with
creating positive efforts to understand
global climate change!
36. How does Nature Mapping help with Climate Change?!
With your help, Nature Mapping will
allow us to measure the biodiversity of
species found in Nisqually National
Wildlife Refuge!
We can then ask questions such as:
• Are there any changes in the types of
wildlife we are seeing?
• Are we seeing wildlife not typical to
this area?
• Have migration patterns been altered
by climate change?
37. Founded in 1992 to:!
• Map and measure biodiversity with
the help of schools and general
public. Participants are asked to tell
us: “What do you see and where
do you see it?”
• Provide the skills necessary to collect and apply communities’
research data for local conservation efforts
• Integrate NatureMapping into schools so they become
long-term wildlife monitors
• Help communities develop their
biodiversity “report cards”
37
38. ./0&1$&)2&3,(24&
Biological – It is home to hundreds of species of unique flora and
fauna!
Cultural – It is a source of food and survival to indigenous and
immigrant societies!
Spiritual/Intrinsic – It has been apart of many religious traditions
for thousands of years! It is also valued in its ability to provide
spiritual renewal…
Economic – A variety of foods are harvested and sold locally and
around the world which feeds back into our economy!
42. What to expect when you visit…!
• During the NatureMapping activity your
group will be split up into smaller groups
• Be respectful, walk around the refuge
quietly so you don’t startle the wildlife.
• Please make sure to turn your
NatureMapping data in to your group
leader!
Remember, the best way to see wildlife
is to be very quiet and to be very
observant!
43. How Can You Help?!
• Reduce your carbon footprint-
• use less water
• use less electricity- be smart!
• bike, bus, and walk
• recycle
• Restoration work
• Water quality monitoring
• Nature Mapping
