Students help with rebuilding efforts at Radnor Lake

Twice this semester, more than 40 Lipscomb students have rolled up their sleeves to assist Radnor Lake State Natural Area with rebuilding trails that were washed out by the May floods.

"We wouldn't be able to accomplish one third of what we get done if it weren't for our volunteers," said Jesse Germeraad, ranger at Radnor Lake and 2008 Lipscomb alum.

Rangers and volunteers have been working for months on rebuilding trails that were washed out when torrential rains fell on Nashville back in May.

"Volunteers are core to what we do here at the park. We received a significant amount of damage from the floods. Many of our trails were completely washed out. We have used volunteers to help us get the trails back in working order. Right now we have everything open except for the South Trail, and that's what the volunteers are working on today," said Germeraad.

The project also provided the students an opportunity to observe firsthand some of the scientific processes they are studying in the classroom.

"We are here as part of our Integrated Science class. Right now we are studying the characteristics of life and photosynthesis, so this is a good opportunity to get to see that stuff in action," said Julia Rox, who is a freshman Philosophy major in the class. "The park doesn't have the resources to pay someone to come mulch the trails, so volunteers are very important."

Dr. Ben Hutchinson and Professor Tamera Klingbyll both teach the Integrated Science course, which provides non-science majors with a general education science option that integrates several science disciplines through an experiential approach to learning.

Past projects have included a water quality analysis of the Harpeth River, sampling of local bacteria for antibiotic resistance and research on the H1N1 epidemic.