THE ALTERNAT R 0 Vol. 17 No. 1 to • •;. ' a Spring 2003 Generating Alternative Currents in Agriculture, Energy and Lifestyles Into the Woods in Search of Stewardship 4411k By: Michele Gauger, MS3 Student It is a humid morning, and 40' . • the dew is still fresh on the grass as we approach the trail armed with transect tapes, stakes, colored flagging and identification guides. We weave around tree limbs and poison ivy in search of the next sampling plot and hammer in the first stake. The question is why are we here and why are we doing this? We want to preserve for future generations three Slippery Rock University forest properties totaling ,or( 135 acres. Shrouded by black cherries, maples, oaks and hawthorns, these properties need a stewardship plan to ensure ecosystem health and proper use. Forests are renewable and selfgenerating; but these qualities may be compromised through increased habitat fragmentation and development in our TREE LOVERS: Graduate students Michele Gauger and communities. Frank Cetera begin to develop a forest stewardship plan. This past summer I had the chance Part of the process included measuring to plot to enjoy sunny days in western Pennsyl- boundaries for tree sampling. (inset). vania and began research, along with Frank Cetera and Dr. Steven Doherty, that will eventually lead to development of a federally guided forest stewardship plan for the university's forest properties. 41. , INSIDE Ecology Laboratory Did You Know? Earth Week .4/ (continued on page 2) Letters Renew Published by SlipperyRock i iv ersrcYwww.SRU.edu for a rock solid education DIY Sustainability at Home: Plastic Bag Drying Rack You are probably conscious, or at least trying to be, of economic, cultural, and artistic aspects of the world of sustainability in your own home. One strategy for convenience, saving money and reducing waste in landfills is to reuse plastic bags. These kitchen items are great for freezing food, taking your lunch to work, or storing leftovers, and reusing them can save homeowners up to $22 a month. Unneeded costs in your kitchen should be scrutinized for their effect on your pocketbook, the environment, and your senses. After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home and should be a pleasing and useful environment. Although plastic bags actually take up little room themselves in storage, they do seem to take up lots of room when drying draped over the kitchen faucet, your vinegar bottles, or the back posts of your kitchen chairs. They also are derived from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource. Finally, the costs can be extravagant to buy and use plastic bags a single time only. A 25 count box of 1 gallon freezer bags from a top brand name manufacturer costs $3.89, or 15,1 per bag. A typical kitchen may have anywhere between one to five bags in use per day. Of course bags from other bought items such as bread and cereal can be reused, but it also helps to (continued on page 3) In Search of Stewardship (continued from page 1) The forest properties include approximately 33 acres of the 83-acre homestead of the Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research. This area encompasses an old-field successional forest composed mainly of black cherry and maple and a dense old orchard area consisting mainly of hawthorn and black cherry. Other properties include 42 acres in the Wolf Creek Narrows area, known as the Miller Tract, site of a past maple sugaring operation, and approximately 60 acres surrounding the Old Stone House near the intersection of state Routes 8 and 173, which is dominated by oak. The Forest Stewardship Program was started in 1990 by the U.S. Bureau of Forestry, to focus on private forestland owners and their role in responsible management of their property. Today between 45 and 50% of forestland in the United States is private forestland and in Pennsylvania alone there are over 500,000 forest landowners. In Pennsylvania, 4 million of the 11.7 million hectares of original forest were transformed between the years of 1660 through the 1970's. These mixed mesophytic forests are some of the most complex in the eastern deciduous forest system. Currently most of the population in the region is 60-100 year old trees, it "-: created through „'" • , • a • • VI 14' a • _•te - . ••• - •• : '4 • l • past logging • .2. • 4 , • — •, ts• • P t V • "...! activities, fires, •f' ;* •••-`, and agricultural # .•• • abandonment. *'• Part of the •. stewardship "14 ,e4 planning - • ) -;:1:1.,t ', ,' „„....:;.,‹ A.,11!:, 4felli ,.;••• ,:•, process relies • . 1....4k" ' ,'.' .' 0 0' 1' 'i ' • :_...,<,,,, .,,, t,;;,•• , '-' ,t 4.,,,e„ t•' :..".. -• 1"• , • . .-' • •Ct.,.., . 4 on data about : I; ,•-*- , %. ' „V i . twy ,,,. current forest i ! 4 '-`. A' ' s ' fi; 1 • • Aar- • • , ecosystem health, so Frank ph, and I spent this • ; • F summer 11) conducting this research. Our days involved sampling each Graduate student Michele Gauger measures tree diameter at breast height forest property (DBH) for a forest preservation plan to safeguard University property. by identifying tree and seedling species, regeneration under mature except through a holistic approach, which considers along with other sire canopy conditions. The all known scientific factors characteristics. Stewardship most prominent factors forests are not only mancontributing to this lack of and human values. Comprehensive, coordinated, and regeneration are deer aged for their timber value ecologically informed but also for multiple uses pressure on seedling growth, management is important including conservation, and even-aged stand today as public resources are recreation, and education. management silvicultural practices. Much of the land increasingly impacted, Preserving these forests misused, or depleted. of Pennsylvania has been ensures future land use, watershed protection, I want to thank Frank exploited in various ways for all of his hard work this natural beauty, and proper leading to forest stands with resource management. past summer for this poor quality stems, less Managing university forest valuable species, and project, Vivas Macoskey for her support of this research, properties will become more variable stocking crown cover. Thus, stewardship Butler County Department important as our demand for resources and space may be the road map to of Conservation and Natural Resources forester increases more responsible forestry. Bob Shurtleff for all of his All three of the The final plans for each guidance, Butler County university's properties have forest will assess their Planning for their financial no written management present condition, list backing of this project plan. As these forest stands recommendations based on through their mini grant develop and are stressed by a goals of the landowners, variety of factors, they begin consider silvicultural program, and Dr. Steven Doherty for his partnership to show signs of growth practices, and create mulon the grant, plan developpresent in typical Pennsylvatiple use practices if not nia forests, such as the lack ment, and never ending already in place. Forests of sufficient advanced support. Many thanks! cannot be properly managed qtv • • -7" Rtii 410, .11t7 1- * ' 74;3, N N„ 2 r Plastic Bag Drying Rack (continued from page 1) have some high quality store bought plastic bags on hand. In any case, washing, drying, and reusing bags can save $4.50 to $22.50 per month based on the above numbers if one were to buy and use bags only one time apiece. The fringe benefits to this practice include acting on concerns for nonrenewable resources and streaming of waste into landfills. While these are all good reasons to reuse plastic bags, some still refrain due to the unsightliness in the kitchen. People are generally not in the habit of laying their dishes throughout the kitchen to dry, or their washed clothes scattered over the living room furniture to dry. By providing an aesthetically pleasing dedicated tool in the kitchen, the drying bags assume a more dignified role; while the holder brings some charm and personal character to the room, especially when you design and build it yourself. This column was initially triggered by the offering for a plastic bag drying rack in a nationally known company's catalog. After a first thought of "I'd like to have that!" the price loomed into view. It seemed unduly expensive, especially with shipping and handling thrown in. It would be easy to make a less expensive original model rather than buying this item through the catalog. The catalog version cost $15 plus S&H and had room to dry 7 bags. The version pictured here cost about $4.15 (plus some screws and mineral oil found lying around), 30 minutes of time for assembly, and has room to dry 4 bags. A larger model could easily be made for a different household's needs. A less expensive model could also be created if you have more scrap or craft materials around the house. 4P. tot This plastic bag drying rack helps recycle plastic bags. This drying rack is working perfectly and has taken up a permanent position in the kitchen. It has also inspired others to create their own drying racks. Perhaps this simple example will inspire you to share your DIY Sustainability ideas and stories with the rest of our reader ship. Remember these food safety tips when reusing plastic bags: Do not reuse THE ALTERNATOR Editor: Frank Raymond Cetera The Alternator is assembled quarterly by the ALTER Project, the MS3 program and the Robert A. Macoskey Center at Slippery Rock University. The Robert A. Macoskey Center is an education and research facility that supports Slippery Rock University's Master of Science in Sustainable Systems (MS3) degree, as well as other environmental and science oriented academic programs. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those held by the university. Letters and submissions are welcome. Please address all correspondence to: The Macoskey Center ALTERNATOR EDITOR/ Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA 16057 724-738-0606 E-mail: thealternator @SM. edu plastic bags that have been used to store meat, dairy, or other food items that easily spoil; always wash plastic bags with soap and hot water, and rinse thoroughly; allow washed bags to completely air dry before reusing; and discard any plastic bags that have absorbed odors or food substances such as oils and fats. 0 The Alternator, the ALTER project, the Macoskey Center and the Sustainable Systems graduate program wish to thank Frank Cetera for his contribution to sustainability at Slippery Rock University. During his years as an M53 candidate, Frank has acted as editor to the Alternator, prepared interpretive information for the Macoskey Center trails, helped inventory SRU forest resources, was president of the local North Country Trails chapter, and participated in so many work days and social learning events at the Macoskey Center. We wish him and Sue peace and prosperity in their pursuit of a more just world full with infinite possibilities. 3 Center Ecology Laboratory Celebrates 3 rd Anniversary By:Valentin Kefeli, Ph D, Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition, ALTER member Bruno Borsari,MS3 Faculty The basement Ecology Laboratory of the Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research remains a less visible component of the homestead to visitors, and also to students who regularly study and work on the premises. However, despite its humble location and size, this ecological laboratory has been a true asset to SRU students, professors and ALTER members, for the investigation of many science and sustainability issues. Students have been the primary beneficiaries of this effort and their work has allowed them direct exposure to the local, scientific community. The realm of investigations spans from the study of waste water systems and composting, to the identification of selected plant exudates and their effect on seed germination (biotest). Other notable research endeavors study the effects of UV-light on cell division and elongation. The bacterial evaluation of Macoskey Center air and water quality is also an important component of the research program. Studying the cycle of phenolic substances within plant and soil systems if has led to conceive possible applications • :.0.141-5 , • ;for these natural L ' , • plant excreta that could be used as alternatives to herbicide application. Their capabilities as plant growth inhibitors have amplified the investigative interests of the Papyrus from the former greywater system resides among much plant growth Macoskey team in in the basement lab. this direction. The most important aspect of the laboratory is the continued integration of students in the research activities being carried on. Initial student investigations in 1999 by Anthony Liguori, Chris Hill, Dan McGurk, and A. Owczarchik centered on the properties of fabricated soil components such as saw dust, dead leaves, compost, pond sediments, and topsoil. The laboratory's main period of research activity is fall through spring to correspond with student semester schedules. This is the period of plant dormancy outdoors, however, in the lab, plants can be forced to grow due to the availability of artificial growing conditions. The laboratory enjoys continued success under the management of Valentin Kefeli, Ph D, who mentors 10 — 12 students yearly, and oversees 3 4 research projects within the laboratory. Another goal of the laboratory is to carry on common projects with other entities such as the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition, Jennings Environmental Education Center, Robert Morris University, and other departments within the Slippery Rock University educational system. In fact, it was at 1998's SRWC Watershed Symposium held at Jennings Environmental Education Center in which university partners met with Margaret Dunn, Dave Johnson and Will A Little Bit of History The Ecology Laboratory was founded in September 1999 based on the conception of ecologically pure research methods without the use of hazardous chemicals. In January 2000, the Macoskey Center Laboratory was equipped with recycled furniture and shelves. Other materials included a small refrigerator, ultra-violet light, fluorescent lights, and glassware. When Dr. Bruno Borsari joined the MS3 program in August 2000, he accepted enthusiastically to supervise with Dr. Valentin Kefeli the activities and projects of the laboratory. This new partnership helped to generate new ideas and approaches while contributing tremendously to the expansion of the program. The Research Program The laboratory was conceived to combine natural phenomena and laboratory investigation in four related branches of study relating to a philosophy of sustainability: Philosophy: Eco-spirituality, Permaculture, Sustainable Development, Biospheric Cycles. Ecology: Water Systems, Wastewater Cleaning, Plant-Soil Relationships, Composting Processes (Nitrogen : Carbon Ratios), Effects of UV-C Light on Cell Division and Elongation. Biology: Properties of Root Exudates, Leaves as Sources of Botanical Herbicides, Sanitary Properties of Plants, Plant Propagation Through Cuttings, Micro Bacterial Evaluation of Air, Water, and Soil. Biochemistry: Plant Phenolics, Phenolics in Soil, Phenolics Identification, Chemotaxonomy. 4 Taylor and began a tight collaboration that led to the creation of the laboratory. Did You Know? Scholarly Achievements Primary outlets for the dissemination of research findings have been the Slippery Rock University Research Symposium and the SRWC Watershed Symposium. These events are held annually and our work has appeared as published abstracts in SRU's Journal of Scholarly Endeavors (Volumes I & II), and in the SRWC Watershed Symposium program. The research has also been presented at The Pennsylvania Consortium of University Biologists (CPUB) conference and the Annual Conference of the American Society of Plant Physiologists (in 2001 and 2002). Last August, a one-hour workshop of our research on botanical herbicides was presented at Millersville university's Pennsylvania Conference for Excellence in Teachers' Preparation (CETP-PA). Many thanks go to the College of Health, Environment and Science for their continued support, and for former Interim Dean Leona Parascenzo and Assistant to the Dean Mary Ann King, for their roles in helping to establish the laboratory. In addition, Macoskey Center Director Thomas Reynolds is to be credited with the laboratory layout design, and for participating in the organization and implementation of the design with MS3 students Jeff Reidenbough and Frank Cetera. Finally, recognition of the current research team continuing studies in the laboratory under the supervision of Drs. Borsari and Kefeli goes to Heather Mikulas (MS3 student), Mahesh Poon (SRU Environmental Science major from Nepal) and Ryoko Funada (SRU Chemistry major from Japan). 0 + Upcoming events at the Robert A Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research include: Feb. 22: Work Day April 12: Work Day March 22: Work Day April 24: Organic Lunch (On Campus) All dates are tentative until confirmed. Contact the Center at (724) 738-0606, macoskey.center@sru.edu for more information. + Macoskey Center graduate assistant Megan Ward has recently completed work on a 28 page booklet designed to education readers about the benefits and science of composting. The project was funded primarily through a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection grant administered through the Butler County Recycling and Waste Management Office. For more information, or to learn how to obtain a copy of the booklet for yourself, contact the Center at (724) 738-0606 or ma cos_key2sw,edu + The Macoskey Center and the Master's of Science in Sustainable Systems program once again were partners in the annual Empty Bowls Dinner to benefit the New Castle City rescue Mission, the Butler Area Agency on Aging, and the Feed My Sheep Food Cupboard. Attendees are treated to local entertainment, beautiful hand made bowls to eat out of and then keep, and tasty soup and fresh bread fora small donation. This years offerings included Vegetable Medley and Cream of Potato and Chives. • Macoskey Center resident and MS3 student Brooke Cuttino participated as an actress in the staging of Attilio Favorini and Lynne Conner's In the Garden ofLive Flowers. This production of Rachel Carson's life story culminated a yearlong celebration of the environmentalist's life. Carson was most famous for writing the book Silent Spring, which revealed the dangers of pesticide use. • ALTER member Valentin Kefeli of Biomost, Inc in Cranberry, Pennsylvania, Maria V. Kalevitch from Robert Morris University, and Bruno Borsari (Editor) from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania have collaborated to publish Natural Growth Inhibitors and Phytohormones in Plants apci Environment. "This book represents the authors' lifetime dedication to the study of inhibitors and phytohormones as well as its practical applications for achieving a more sustainable agriculture...this effort proposes a more logictic approach to the study of plant physiology, in which the plant-soil interactions are discussed, with a profound description of different allelochemicals and their effects on plants growth." (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Hardbound ISBN 1-4020-1069-9, October 2002,340 pp. USD 118.00) ❖ A group of artists and peace activists, in cooperation with the Thomas Merton Center in Pittsburgh,are developing an International Peace Flag. Volunteers are needed to do peace symbol research, survey internationals in the US and abroad regarding peace symbolism from their region of the world, and to help distribute the survey through the internet via list-serves, mass mailings to friends, or other avenues. For more information visit www.thomasmertoncenter.org (on the home page, click on International Peace Flag); or contact Mary Beth Steisslinger (stebs(ingeurt@eucloramail.com) for an electronic copy of the survey. 0 WalterAlter A Traditional Irish Blessing "May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine warm upon your face, The rainsfall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May almighty holdyou in the palm of its hand... May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you, May pure be the joys that surroundyou, May true be the hearts that love you." Well., Waiter COIIgEfPONpENTIN THE FIELD 5 A Letter From Our Readers... Earth Week 2003 at SRU April 22 Ag Encounters Day on the Quad Lawrence and Butler County Extension turns the quad into a farm for the day, with animals, visits by local elementary schools, and farm equipment to check out. Dear Alternator, Read your article about greywater (Playing with Dirty Water: Greywater Treatment at the Macoskey Center, Spring 2002) with interest as I had just asked one of my sons if he could come up with an idea to pipe my kitchen greywater out onto our small piece of lawn. I've got a dishpan in our sink, plus a pewter pitcher on the counter any leftover water I use to water my plants indoors or outdoors. Fortunately our kitchen is only around the corner from our front door. I'm in my eighties now and not in a rush — so this works okay for me, until someone comes up with a better way to save our precious water. SRU Cares Day 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. (common hour) Institute for Community Service-Learning and Nonprofit Leadership sponsored trash cleanups at various sites across campus. April 24 Good Food Lunch 11 a.m. — 1 p.m., MPR University Union Speaker: Kim Seeley, Milky Way Farms Good luck, Jean Dickinson April 26 Earth Fest Robert A Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research Ongoing: Guided Tours of the Center 11 a.m. — 4 p.m.: Ecological Art Exhibition (Harmony Barn) 11 a.m. — 4 p.m.: Quilting Showcase at Slippery Rock Township Building 11 a.m. — 4 p.m.: Kite Flying with "Pittsburgh Fly" Kite Club 11 a.m. — 12 noon: Kite Making Workshop 11 a.m. 12 noon: Music, Band TBA 12 noon — 1 p.m.: Black Sheep Puppets 12 noon — 1 p.m.: Tree Grafting Workshop with Jack Stupka 1 p.m. — 2p.m.: Music, Acoustic Shadows of Blue and Grey 1 p.m. — 2 p.m.: Earth Kids Activities 1 p.m. -- 3 p.m:. Children's Theater, "Mountain Myths" 3 p.m. — 4 p.m.: Music, Band TBA 3 p.m. — 4 p.m.: Earth Kids Activities 0 Jean, numerous possibilities exist for using greywater, and no one solution is right for every application. To help you on your way, check out a copy of Create an Oasis With Greywater: Your Complete Guide to Choosing, Building and Using Greywater Systems by Art Ludwig. The revised edition, published in February 2000, is a wealth of information from basic nuts and bolts of plumbing, irrigation, and systems descriptions, to supply and reference lists, and health and legal guidelines. Published by Oasis Design, Ludwig's book is packed with 24 figures and 35 photos to further guide the reader along. (49 pages, $14.95, ISBN 0964343304) In The Summer 2003 Alternator... • News and views from the Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research • Reader submissions • And much more!! Readers are encouraged to submit articles, ideas, artwork, humor, news, poetry, fiction, book and music reviews, announcements and other commentary. Submissions should be "Word" formatted and on disk, or doublespaced hard copy. Please include information on how to contact you. Material should be sent to: Alternator Editor, The Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA 16057; or e-mailed to The Alternator@SRU.edu. The Alternator editor reserves the right to edit for length, style and interest. Material will be included in upcoming issues as space allows. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis for quarterly issues corresponding to seasonal releases. 0 MACOSKEY CENTER WEB SITE UPDATE With the relaunch of the Slippery Rock University Web site, the Macoskey Center pages are now located at: http: msfwebl.sru.edu/pages/756.asp Please visit the site and provide feedback as appropriate. Look for details on the Macoskey Center Wel) site update in our next issue. 6 Another perennial favorite Joseph Jenkins' 2" edition (July 1999) of The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure, contains a full chapter on alternative greywater systems. Illustrations by Tom Griffin are both humorous and educational, while the 302 pages pack a whopping amount of useful material. (Jenkins Pub, $19.00, ISBN 0964425890) and am eager to support the sustainability movement through my future endeavors. The sustainability of communities and the existence of great ways of life are rooted deep in the processes and entities of our natural world. Watersheds and rivers are intertwined with all other forms, and within them are rooted our culture - beautiful art and music reflecting the hues of ridges and shores - struggles for survival and creativity that produce an environmentally minded society of intuitive thinkers — design and planning of our human surroundings that reflect and work with our natural environs. So as we keep our waterways flowing and full of life, we keep alive the tributaries of our heritage, and build a lifestyle of a cooperative existence that reflects beauty and goodness. I wish all of you continued success in the venues where you work for sustainability; as I know that you will work with me to support watersheds and rivers, and all the other entities of sustainability, for the benefit of all. ...And a Letter From the Editor Dear Readers, I have truly appreciated the opportunity to work as Editor of the Alternator for the past three years. Though Editor itself fails to describe my experiences and rewards as writer, community member, student, friend, and husband during my time in Slippery Rock. I arrived as a Master of Science in Sustainable Systems (MS3) student and Macoskey Center resident in August 1998, I leave today as ever so much more. My path now takes me to Harrisburg where I will work as Watershed Programs Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR). I am looking forward to many new experiences and opportunities, With Best Regards, Frank Raymond Cetera, Editor (June '00 - March '03) This issue dedicated to Suzanne; I love you - Frank 0 4 SUPPORT THE ALTERNATOR Please help The Alternator remain a quality resource for sustainability and education. The Annual Gift year runs from January 1 to December 31. Regular Annual Gifts for the full year are billed at the rate of $10. 2003 Annual Gift Name: New ($10) Renewal ($10) E-mail: Address: City/State/Zip: Telephone: 2003 Gift Subscription ($5) Must be Annual Gift Giver to send gift subscription. Name: E-mail: Address: City/State/Zip: Telephone: Master of Science Sustainable Systems T-shirt. ($15). L or XL (Circle choice). Original artwork and text that reads:"A Sustainable Tomorrow Lies in Harmony with all Life, Slippery Rock University Master of Science in Sustainable Systems" Process: A Spiritual Journey to a Partnership with Nature.($5) The only published work by Dr.Robert A. Macoskey available. TOTAL Send with check (payable to Slippery Rock University /The Alternator) to: The Alternator, Robert A.Macoskey Center, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA 16057. 7 ALTER Project SlipperyRoc-k .i 14 Maltby Avenue University NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SLIPPERY ROCK, PA PERMIT #24 Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA 16057 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED •• F" -E' ' •t --•4- • - • Nm14 am9.; •••• 11;!ri, Ar4 4 - "L'e • *.a— 1 =r.'f .1•A" ir e 1-; • 16. • " 4 Li:', • l 1.1•• .••* $ di, • -.. ....i ,....„,..; .....,.._p2-1--,-. ;,., Nr, w+, ,,,.1.1..5.471t. 0-.r...1k7. 7 11 , 1V-. ,•41.'.31 :..,..1:-.1.1.. A1:.. ' -.. ' • ri 1 • i _, , r!'f,.-.44.--,' • , 1. •, • 1114,'Al . ..:•:' 6 1 ,.: 4,114.T it .6.1. A. The revamped "Harmony" slate ' NR: "ourtesy of slate roofer Joe Jenkins. : ••••t • f.,•