The project that I plan to complete for my second year project is the Fawcett Center Ecological Restoration project. The work that I plan to do on this project may include some invasive species removal similar to what was done last year, but the main objective for this year will be to focus on planting new, native species. The reason that I would like to complete this project rather than any of the others is because I was able to get a taste of what it was like while volunteering on the weekends to help one of the previous sophomores make progress on their project last year. During my volunteer time, I removed quite a few honeysuckle plants, some callery pear, and planted many trees. I would usually go out on the weekends with my roommates and together we would take on the task of removing the largest plants we could find. We worked very efficiently and would usually end up helping other groups when we ran out of invasive species to remove. Not only did I leave feeling productive and like I had made a difference after these experiences, but I also had a lot of fun. The second reason that I would like to take this on as my second year project is because I have a very busy schedule this year, including on the weekends. Because of this, having to attend regularly scheduled meetings, or having to work, for example, only when the site engineer could be there, would be inconvenient. Instead, it would work well for me to be able to simply head out to the Fawcett Center whenever I have some free time and get as much approved work done as possible that day.

The main benefactor of this project will be the wildlife living near the Fawcett Center because having fewer invasive species and more native ones will create a better environment for the animals and plants that are supposed to live there. Additionally, if other students working on this project and I can fully or nearly fully restore that section of the Olentangy to the way it was before invasive species were introduced, then it can serve as an example for how the rest of the Olentangy can be cleaned up. Finally, I will benefit from this project for two main reasons. The first is that planting and removing species will be excellent physical exercise, which will be good for me. The second reason is because I love being outdoors but always seem to find an excuse to stay in instead of doing something outside. This project will push me to spend more time away from the stuffy interior or Morill Tower and actually go outside.

Finally, there are a few things that I hope to learn from this project. The first thing I hope to learn is what species along the Olentangy and in other areas of the state are actually invasive and which belong there. The second thing that I hope to learn is what the most effective way to remove these species are because I have heard that simply cutting them will not work for some, like honeysuckle. Finally, I would like to gain more knowledge about the general river ecosystem because I simply find the subject interesting.