By Zorian Edwards, staff writer
Returning to the Daemen campus after the spring semester students noticed something missing, the EcoShed. What once stood next to the creek, by the paved path behind Canavan, was officially removed from the campus.
90 students, led by Dr. Brenda Young and Professor Kevin Kegler, started the EcoTrail project in 2006. This project utilized sustainable practices while constructing both the trails and the EcoShed.
“As I understand it, the shed was removed due to liability concerns with the nesting geese,” Dr. Brenda Young said. “Daemen did put up signage this year, but sadly several students expressed fear of walking near the geese. I wish that we had a community discussion about alternatives or ways to put students’ fears at ease, but we did not.”
The purpose of the EcoShed was outlined in a National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology case study after its creation.
“Our tool storage shed also serves as the display kiosk and was built with donated salvaged lumber, painted with low VOC stain, and topped with a living roof,” the study states. “‘Stepping stones’ across the stream are made from concrete parking barriers that were left on site as hard fill. Benches have been made to surround trees and utilize discarded sewer pipes. Signage provides information on the importance of brush piles, rain gardens, and green roofs, as well as displaying reflective nature-related passages. Students were involved in the design of all materials and implementation of the trail and the continued maintenance.”
When observing the creek located within the EcoTrail area, you can notice multiple fallen trees and litter.
“I feel like general clean-up is an order since people do throw trash over there,” Jenna Fiaretti, a first-year animation student said. “There are also a ton of fallen trees, and while some have become little dens for the critters, others are causing blockages in the creek, blocking paths, or otherwise causing problems. Some of them need to be cut down and removed. We also should make sure to monitor the creek more closely, as it’s getting shallow, and with all the things blocking the water flow it could very well dry up sometime soon.”
Fiaretti is not the only student on campus who believes the EcoTrail needs some upkeep. To help combat this issue, the Environmental Club is combining with the Honors Program, Pre-Vet Club, and Tri-Beta for their biannual clean-up event. This event will allow honors students and Tri-Beta members to earn service points on October 26 at 10:00 am.
“If interested in participating, please meet at the trailhead where the EcoShed used to be,” Sabrina Adamson, junior biology major said. “Feel free to bring your own gloves and/or trash bags but if you don’t have any, no worries. We will have spares of both.”
The Environmental Club holds this event to preserve the natural beauty of Daemen’s campus. For the last two semesters, they have paired with the Honors Program to get more hands-on deck with trail maintenance and cleanup.
The trail is a good place to go if you need to unwind after a stressful day or just need a break from studying and is currently populated with deer, squirrels, and hawks.