Restorative Ecology Training Program Anders Olson1, Sarick Matzen2, CĂŠline Pallud3 1CNR
Alumnus; 2PhD student, Pallud Lab, ESPM; 3Associate Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry, ESPM
Objectives
Project Outcomes
The Restorative Ecology Training Program (RETP) is an undergraduate apprenticeship in applied ecology. The program trains students in sustainability methods revolving around healthy soil. The training incorporates four components of soil-based ecosystem restoration in the campus environment: waste diversion (composting), native plant installation, public outreach, and a field research project in remediating soil contamination.
Native plants installed
800
Kilograms of waste diverted
2,400
Public Ferns planted to outreach decontaminate events soil arsenic
12
Students trained in sustainability
1600
15
Over 70 students applied for these positions (Fall 2013 and Spring 2014), indicating significant interest in hands-on sustainability projects where students can apply course-based learning. Programs like this fill a critical gap in undergraduate opportunities for laboratory work. Students want to gain hands-on experience in soils, sustainability, and ecosystem restoration.
Native Plant Propagation and Installation Students propagate native and drought tolerant plants at the Oxford Tract lathe house, which they then plant at student coops and in Strawberry Creek restoration areas.
Waste Diversion
Planting with compost
Students divert 60 kg per week of biodegradable material from campus housing cooperatives. Waste is recycled through thermophilic composting and used for habitat restoration planting.
Sowing California natives
Thermophilic compost pile
Compost stalls at student housing
Public Outreach Native and drought tolerant plantings
Arsenic Soil Decontamination Students participate in a research project to decontaminate soil arsenic from a historical railroad right-of-way. This is part of a greater land-use plan integrating food system sustainability.
Students help create educational materials for public outreach, including posters, updates, and brochures. Students practice public speaking at outreach events and conferences. Developing presentation skills
Student-organized meeting with native plant specialists at the UC Botanical Garden
Field site before remediation in 2011, and during site preparation
Student harvests fern fronds to remove arsenic
Students learn sustainable cultivation methods, like high tunnel construction
Student-staffed workshop on soil sampling
This project was supported by the Berkeley Green Initiative Fund (TGIF). We thank the following community partners: Berkeley Partners for Parks, Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative, the Ecology Center, Spiral Gardens Community Food Security Project, and all Santa Fe Right-of-Way neighbors. We thank Curtis and Tompkins Laboratories for providing pro bono analyses of soil. Most importantly, we thank undergraduate students who have participated in the training program, including C. Baker, A. Benavides, L. Butler, R. Duakin, A. Ha, H. L. Hagen, A. Hernandez, B. Kaur, V. Nguyen, P. Radis, I. Schroeter, A. Tsuzuki, Q. Wong, J. Wu, and N. Yuen.