Whidbey Island Ecological Studies Continue into the fall of 2016.

Recently, over the days of November 4-5,  25 students from all cohorts in the Biotechnology Academy visited the ongoing research site up on Whidbey Island.  For 15 years, students have been active participants in an on-going ecological research project measuring growth of a newly re-planted forest and carbon sequestration of several re-planted trees.  And, as per usual, we were fortunate to have a cool rainless Friday for data collection and a damp, raining Saturday for data analysis.  The students were fabulous in their eagerness to be a part of the natural world and they were able to put their electronic devices away (shocking, but true).  This is an outdoor experience where kids can be kids and throw away their "cool" card and be part of the present.  Here are some images from the weekend.

Collecting insects from trees.

Do banana slugs really have a neurotoxin?  No pain here after kissing.

Apple harvest for apple pressing and cider production.

That's one big old growth red western cedar. The mother tree.

Looking at invertebrates from study sites.

Collecting critters from live traps set overnight.

Testing the waters for the pond sampling expeditions.  It was a warm, balmy, November afternoon.

Reporting out data on carbon sequestration.

And the cows are always a hit with Seattle city kids!  Getting in touch with rural landscapes.

Busting home.  Biotech signs on the ferry to Mulkiteo.