Walden Pond

Balancing the technological dependent solutions to mitigating climate change, WA 7th Graders spent Earth Day April 22, 2010 at Walden Pond in Concord, MA (click) for the day. Thoreau challenges our own intrinsic capacity for regeneration and transformation: “We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.” Students take the long view above, tapping into their ability to observe closely the world around them. The park interpreter explains 1) how the isolated kettle pond has flooded over the sandy beach shore due to heavy March rain and that the water line will remain high through the summer while the water slowly percolates through the pond bottom to the groundwater below 2) the decline of one prominent Chesnut Trees in New England due to fungus infection, wherein the tree can grow a short height and sent off offshoots before dying, and 3) White Pine secondary succession patterns. Students surround a replica of Henry David Thoreau, a devout walker and master pragmatist, while listening to a park ranger. Ghost like memorial of Walden’s original cabin inspires the imagination.

Upper Blackstone Tertiary Treatment

This past fall the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District (UPWPAD)began operating at increased rated capacity (up to 150 MGD from 56 MGD) and with tertiary treatment methods wherein specific bacteria break down phosphate and nitrate compounds (decreasing effluent levels by a factor of 10), which can lead to eutrophic and hypoxic aquatic environments. Ann Cohen instructs the students above on the topic. As well students observe the final output of treated water to a canal that flows directly into the Blackstone River near Route 20 and 146. The recent record rains had a volume of wastewater flow into the plant peaking near 190 MGD, which the plant was able to manage.