Wednesday, April 30

Andy Ashcroft On Monday night, Catherine, Kate and I cooked stir fry for the team. I am happy to say that everyone is still feeling well today and I even saw someone go for leftovers at lunch. The 35 oz. jug of cheese balls is almost gone and should be polished off today. Tree counting makes for hungry people. We learned some of the more common species of trees that make up the forest ridge line today. We also saw first-hand the effects of logging on an area of the forest. The amount of waste--which is called slash--is absolutely mind boggling. Well, back out into the field to continue on with our scientific endeavor.

Blair Smith Today we were introduced to some native Maryland trees: hickory, beech, sweetgum, dogwood, ironwood, tulip poplar--they are now all friends of mine.

I’ve seen clear cut in British Columbia, now I’ve seen clear cut in Maryland. No real difference but basically the same impact when you look at numerous stumps in a very small area. For me, it motivates me to learn more…

After an efficient day of measuring what was still standing in the clear cut plots, we enjoyed Earthwatch Field Program Director, Dr. Dan Stover explain “the scientists” evidence of climate change. I recently just finished “a must read” book called The Hot Topic, and Dan reiterated everything in this book.

Karen Abernathy

There are eight grids in this four-year experiment; today’s grid was selected since it was logged. On top of a high ridge, white pipes marked a sunny rectangular area representing x-y coordinates that formed squares of about 10x10 meters. We started on the south end nailing a tag on each tree, recording its location, species, and characteristics, carefully navigating around broken branches, moving north up each column. In wooded areas, teams use about a hundred tags per column; however, our first column today required only 26 tags. The trees left standing are relatively small, many damaged by missing bark and limbs.

Catherine Wiggins

Tuesday brought us our first full day in the field, measuring and recording data on plots that will be monitored over the next four years. We worked in an area that was logged in 2007, a familiar scene for those of us who live in British Columbia. For those trees that are not logged (due to their low lumber value) they begin a struggle for survival without the canopy and protection of the forest. While we learned of the negative impact of logging, we were inspired by the new growth that has taken place in the short time since the plots were logged. Our eyes were soon trained to pick out may apple, tulip poplar, hickory, dogwood and beech--some of the many species that are growing in this area.

Kate McFadden
Today marked the beginning of our field work, which involved locating trees on the grid, then identifying, measuring and categorizing them so that their growth can be tracked over time. We walked through beautifully towering mature woods before arriving at our plots, only to feel our hearts sink as we saw that our plots had been logged. The scientists explained that the land provides a unique opportunity to study the forest’s regeneration, so we tiptoed around the baby tulip poplars that were popping up between all of the stumps and felled trees. We also learned that due to the fact that there was no longer a canopy full of leaves to take in the CO2 and the decaying plant debris left behind gives off CO2, that this section of forest became a carbon source. The scene drove home the deleterious effect that human consumption has on the environment.

Tuesday, April 29

Andy Ashcroft

The plethora of wildlife was my alarm clock this morning at about 5:15 a.m. It may have been early, but the natural alarm clock definitely beats the ear splitting “BEEEP--BEEEEP” of the standard alarm clock at home. Today we learned how not to get Lyme disease--wear light colored clothing and inspect yourself to make sure you have not acquired an unwanted hitchhiker (tick). DEET bug spray will also help to keep the ticks at bay. We took a short walk through the forest and learned of the different types of forest plots here at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. We will continue to get some training on how to accomplish the scientific aspect of our stay this afternoon and evening.

Blair Smith

Spring time is in full effect in Maryland!

The forest has awoken; the many shades of green bring feelings of warmth. The trees will be hugged.

We are here for a reason, to make an impact. This team is committed. Luis and I have made a plan to rise tomorrow at 6 a.m. to record the natural symphony.

A story prior to my arrival at SERC…After approximately 10 inquisitive questions from the border guard at Vancouver Airport about the Climate Champion program, the final question was: “So is this project for fun?” My response: “Actually…no, this project is quite serious…”

Karen Abernathy

In contrast to our rainy welcome yesterday at the airport, today brought bright sunshine and brisk, cool weather--wonderful for walking. Armed with our new knowledge about the science of climate change and forestry basics, we walked into orientation at our “forest office.” Lots of poison ivy, wild onions, holly, and a spring-time plant called May Apple cover the ground; our ceiling is a bright green tree canopy. The acceptable attire here is an orange vest, clipboard and tape measure. We discovered that ecology is very statistical; measurements we took during training had very little deviation. Great precision for a start!

Michele Garcia

Diversity and making a living--terms you may associate with your work group, job or life. They take on new meaning when you are walking through a forest. From newly formed to old, the forest factory is alive and working. Diversity in trees, plant life and organisms--all make a living every day--for themselves and for us. As beautiful as it is to look up and see trees of all shapes and sizes, it is equally important to remember to look around and down at the floor below the leaves. Therein lays the next new forest. Watch where you step!

Luis Clay

In the forest… the birds speak to each other constantly with sweet and predictable calls. Their voices are striking and variable and distinct and intermittent. Some are close by and others far away. Together they form a ragged orchestra, which develops its own score as the day unfolds... an aural advent each morning to herald another peaceful and natural cycle. A big airplane drones overhead and drowns out all but the noisiest callers... gradually the plane recedes and the tide of colorful noise resumes.

More to come, from planet earth, TreeHugger

Leonid Tverskoy

Warm welcome, nice team. Got two safety talks out of three expected. Got first field training measuring width of the trees, etc. First nature walks. First discussion on a common sense behind the whole activity. It was surprisingly meaningful and fruitful. Really impressed by the team. Tomorrow is the first working day in the field.

Lesley Harrigan

We are surrounded by dense, plush, green forests. The beauty that lies within is breathless or more appropriately, full of breaths. Our speaker this morning, SERC Lead Scientist Jess Parker spoke of the measuring of the trees input and outputs in the surrounding area. He stated that the data shows that during the daylight hours of photosynthesis that the trees are actively inhaling carbon and exhaling oxygen and during the evening hours, the trees “breathing” slows down. So as we walked the forest and started our education of the abundance of life embedded within, we were taught to measure the tree’s diameter. So today I wrapped my arms around the tree’s trunk to get a measurement and enthusiastically hugged a tree. I’m officially a “tree hugger” and proud to recognize and care for the life balance within the forest.

Lou Sutton

Awareness is my gift from the forest today--the names and heights of the trees that make up the forest canopy, identification of poison ivy, the various bird calls. On our orientation hike, Dr. Jess Parker reminded us to be aware of where to place our feet to minimize impact on the new growth of spring that begins to blanket the forest ground. Later, we discussed our responsibilities as Climate Champions and I imagine that my awareness will be focused on where to place my feet for the greatest impact. I clearly see that even if I don’t know exactly where the path is leading, awareness is the necessary first step on the journey of climate change.

Wednesday, April 16: Day 3

Stuart Brightbill:
What a great first full day out in the field! All 12 of us were put to the task to document measurements of plotted grids in the forest. This was a great way to not only work as a team with people from all over North America, but to actually be a part of important scientific research. Our data that we collected (600 trees, 75 stumps from a recently logged area) will be used to research how the climate changes have an effect on the forest's canopy. Like today, here's how our days will be going forward:

Briefing and field work: 8:45 a.m. - noon
Lunch: noon - 1 p.m.
Field work and debriefing: 1-5:15 p.m.
Dinner: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Learning session: 7:30-9 p.m.

This may appear to be long days of work and study, but the energy that my fellow Climate Champions bring is quite contagious. Everyone is ambitious in the field work and eager to participate in the learning sessions. I look forward to tomorrow's work and study, and reporting back.

P.S. It is now 10:10 p.m., the learning session ended 40 minutes ago, and we are all still discussing the scientific aspects on the changing climate (tonight's learning session topic).

Kelly Chen:
The perfect start to a brisk spring day: a bowl of cereal, toast and much chatter in anticipation of our first full day in the field. Must admit that the smell and sizzle of bacon and eggs being prepared by fellow Climate Champions added to the ambiance, almost foreshadowing the sounds and various odors that would follow throughout the day. Amazing to be out in a mature forest during this time of year, as the leaves are slowly growing along with other vegetation under sunny skies. Very scientific, yet surprisingly simple work in comparison to my day-to-day work of firefighting client issues and negotiating pricing with clients.

Three teams of four measured, tagged and identified around 600 trees. Small trees, big trees, "twin" trees! Who knew you could identify different tree species by just looking at the branch formations? So if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Well maybe, but depends on what type of tree it is and how big it is. Is that the right answer?! Better check with the scientific types for a definitive answer! These scientists are definitely up to something when it comes to their research related to climate change. And as the day of field work ended, a hint of nature admiring what work we had accomplished: twin tiger butterflies flying by…

Mary Kay Edson:
Fantastic! Coming into this project, I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into. Our daily tasks have been described by others, so I'll share a broader perspective. The forest is beautiful, a previous dairy farm now with about 45 years of second growth forest and full of tulip poplars, beech, sweetgums, flowering dogwood and others. The sounds of the forest are soothing, from the beauty of lack of sound, to leaves crunching, deer running and cardinals calling (although there still is an absence of migrating warblers).

This journey began with a beautiful forest, local volunteers, scientists and a terrific group of colleagues. Daily, it progresses into a learning experience: about yourself, the forest and the climate issues. It's a project of collaboration in many aspects, be it preparing a meal together with friends just made 48 hours ago; working in teams to collect data; or considering the impacts our voice may have on future actions at HSBC--there is constant inspiration. The work and climate issues are motivating and challenging and it's exciting to consider what we'll learn tomorrow-- more to come!

Alex Gray:
A day of fieldwork is certainly different to being at a desk! We have all been surprised at how tired we feel--no doubt a combination of fresh air and compiling all the data in what is a new field of expertise that we are gaining. Some are able to take an hour break before the dinner and group discussion on climate related issues, but some have to cook for the whole of the team. Tonight was my turn, along with two others and it seemed to go well. Although having a Scotsman who did not grow up with a garden and thus a BBQ, as the cook on the grill was fraught with danger. Fortunately, teamwork came through, with many North American colleagues willing to give advice-no doubt with a vested interest in the outcome.

Thomas Higgins:
Today was our first full day in the field, getting a chance to apply the skills we learned the day before. Most of us--including me--spent the morning and afternoon measuring, tagging and identifying all trees of a particular size by species, diameter and location in 10 meter by 10 meter grids using x/y coordinates. In all, my team of four identified and tagged 165 trees, completing eight grids--which is a lot more draining than it sounds. Our entire team of Climate Champions tagged almost 600 trees today, which impressed our SERC project managers. My team actually refused to break for dinner until we completed our initial eight grids. We have a lot more to do over the next two weeks. This project will be quite long lasting, with the first planned follow-up measurements of our trees to occur in five years, building on the initial research we'll complete over the next ten days. Thankfully it's not all tree measuring. We'll be participating in a number of other projects as well. More to come!

Jeremy Sikora:
Today we started with data collection by measuring trees in our study plot. In the afternoon, Mary Kay and I were the first in Team 2 to be able to work with Dale, a SERC volunteer, collect data on stumps and geocoding in a recently logged area on the SERC property. The work consisted of first marking a waypoint with a GPS device, which records the latitude and longitude of the stump. That location was then linked to the other recorded details: stump diameter, distance from the ground to the stump cut and tree species. Within our allotted time, we traversed the study area and recorded 75 stumps and the accompanying details, breaking the record of 69 set by the previous Climate Champion team. After the brief trip back to home base (the Canopy Lab) we inputted the data from the GPS, transferred the data from our sheets to the master spreadsheet and added to the 710 stumps already recorded by Dale and his teams.

Linda Markott:
Today we began to earn our keep. Our task was to measure, identify, classify and tag a section of trees within a 10 x 10 grid. Except for our one-hour lunch break, we were on our feet for the entire day. Even though the majority of us would have loved to sit down for a minute or two, the fear of ticks prevented it. The majority of trees my team tagged were young. We tagged 193 trees. The work is not hard but very tiring. Our two scientists were very excited over the fact that an entire plot was tagged today. After dinner, Earthwatch Field Director Dr. Dan Stover gave a presentation on the science of climate change. The discussions continued well beyond 10:30 p.m. This has been a long, but very satisfying day. There are many different types of projects that we will be involved in. We are looking forward to tomorrow.

Tim Mercer:
My own thoughts have wandered into the science of how carbon dioxide (CO2) can be removed from the atmosphere. Having Internet access within the dorm has allowed me the opportunity to dive into this with more details. I have learned more about carbon fixation and an enzyme called RuBisCo which is a central player in the way CO2 is converted into carbon within the plant and O2 released to the environment. My learning continues as we participate in the field and evening lecture learning.

Sharon Powell:
Today we started off our morning briefing in the lab. We were in the field all morning, had lunch and headed back out again. We learned how to recognize ironwood, beech, sweetgum, maple, ash and dogwood trees. One of the trees we measured was 109 cementers. Huge! We stayed out in the field to finish up the end of the site. Our team measured and tagged a total of approximately 193 trees. It was a great day in the field and we had great weather.

Seth Ruden:
After only 10,611 steps and 1.4 miles, I have worn out the batteries on my personal GPS and was "fit for a kit." We managed to take a swift pace on the data logging for our plots and came up ahead of schedule… Tonight is the "Science of Climate Change" presentation provided by Dan. The rich education of this program makes the intensive labor easily

Tuesday, April 15: Day 2 - Team 2 2008

Stuart Brightbill
I arrived excited and eager to start my learning on how the climate affects our environment, and I met 11 of my peers equally excited and eager. The scientists here seem very pleased to be teaching us what we need to learn and are anxious to put us to work. With all of the overviews we have been receiving here this first day, I look forward to a lot of intense learning, studying and field work.

If I could give one tip to you, it is to ask questions about sustaining our Earth to any of my fellow HSBC Climate Champions who have already gone through the field program. I have been incredibly impressed with what I hear they have been doing and continue to do at their homes and communities. I know if you talk with these folks just a little bit, you will be equally impressed. Hopefully on my next posting, I will be able to pass on a bit of what I have learned.

Linda Markott
After our arrival and room assignment, we spent the evening learning a bit about our surroundings and our colleagues. Sharing ideas with this group is a joy. There are so many different backgrounds and points of view. On Tuesday our training began. We can now identify poison ivy and ticks. Hopefully, the only ones we see were the ones in the lab. We now understand why we are studying trees and the impact HSBC has on this study by supplying support. The amount of data that can be acquired by 12 bodies speaks volumes. We were taught how to measure trees, which will be one of our tasks during our stay. We had a little extra free time before dinner so I took an exploratory hike. I discovered a trail that followed a small lake. I surprised a hawk which showed its displeasure by swooping at me, about 10 feet over my head. This evening we had another brainstorming session. These sessions are intended to ultimately provide us with the tools we will need for our project upon our return. Tomorrow will be a full day out in the woods. Time to start earning our keep.

Doug Peters
We all arrived safely to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) and were assigned to our digs. I was lucky to receive my own room; however, the single rooms do not have Internet access. It’s a fair trade-off. Everyone has been friendly and accommodating, and is certainly helping us feel right at home. This place is beautiful--we’re perched on the edge of an inlet/branch of Chesapeake Bay with a sloped, wooded topography. A wide, shallow river drains freshwater into the saltwater, adding to the brackish bay, edged with saltwater marshes. The woods are a nice mixture of new, intermediate and mature growth, and exhibit a rich history. The research center sits in the middle and provides direct access to the “field” for the plethora of scientists and research projects going on here. Laboratories abound, and in the summer, there can be as many as 300 people working here.

The trails are amazing. On the first night I took a sunset bike ride to a small inland lake, visited with a red-tailed hawk, and surprised four nimble deer. The project we’re contributing to is fascinating (more later). Looking forward to getting into the woods tomorrow and putting today’s tree measurement practice to work!

Seth Ruden
I suspect that the reason they are called “Tree Huggers” is for the measuring tape that is used for documenting a trees circumference. One has to literally wrap both arms around to grasp the tape and get a good read on the total width of a 100-year-old tree.

We spent the second day here receiving our primary education, practicing the evaluation of trees and wrapping our minds around the objective of the mission here: Facilitating the raw data collection that will provide necessary understanding of sustainable forest management. With the support provided by HSBC Climate Champions, there will be a valuable amount of data that will be collected and utilized. I understand the findings of this study will be provided to the greater scientific community, reinforcing the contributions that are being made.

The work will be hard and consuming. We will walk some distance to the site we are surveying and once there, we’re on our feet hugging tree to tree. I will do my best to convey this with distances traveled in measures of my own footsteps on my GPS and pedometer.