After classes today Koji, Kiwame, Vanya and I are off with studednts to our pond study area. We will be using an old Japanese pond in Matsuyama to compare with a brand new pond back in California.
I received a Marin Community Foundation Grant for pond construction materials in the Fall of 2005. That money, along with research grant money from MTP will go a long way to developing an environmental study area outside our classroom window. The centerpiece will be a 12x 16 foot pond. It will be two feet deep and we will use our home made ROV's to explore underwater life and water quality. I have given a book to our Japanese partners with directions as to how to construct an ROV using PVC pipe, bilge pump motors with model shop propellors. These ROV's (remotely operated vechiles) are powered by a 12 volt car battery and controlled by toggle switches. For 50 bucks one can purchase a b&w video camera that's good to maybe six atmospheres.
We plan to collect and compare information and data from both ponds and offer suggestions as how best develop and protect these environments. Invasive species are a huge problem in both countries. Misuse of resources for recreation is a constant problem. We hope to train students as docents and give them opportunities to present the nature study area to smaller children.
Part of our project involves recording visitors to the pond areas. In California we will develop a soft clay area to record animal footprints as well as a sandy area to do s similar job. We hope to purchase a camera blind with a sensor and flash feature in order to photograph animals that will visit the pond after school and at night.
Over the next few years we plan to landscape the area using plants that will attract and shelter wildlife. An irrigation system will be set up to leep the area healthy. We will use a drip system in order to conserve water and have plans to dig our own well and pump water with wind power. We have received a donated stock tank for water storage.
This afternoon I will have my first chance to see and photograph the old Matsuyama pond. My students will enjoy seeing the other half of this project when I return to California in late summer. Best, Jim
McElroy

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Would it be possible to include the plans for building an ROV on your blog? I'd be very interested.

Lynn Zetzman
MTP '04 and '05

Jim, I'd be interested in the ROV plans also.

Cynthia Jnes
BellwoodDiscovery