Res College Symposium 2018

We wish to design a medicinal garden that can be easily utilized by students, faculty, and community members on campus. It is our goal to shed light on the beneficial qualities that these plants hold. In addition, we hope to explore the historical and cultural implications of these herbs.

At the growing Bucknell University farm, we have been given the opportunity to establish an area specific to promoting and maintaining the biodiversity of native amphibian species. We propose a small set of seasonal ponds that will be used by various species native to Pennsylvania for living and mostly breeding grounds. The area will provide the Bucknell Biology and Animal Behavior departments with an opportunity for field research right on campus. Native aquatic and species friendly plants will be incorporated in and around the ponds as well. We know that this project may take years to properly get up and running, but with the goals and motivation to make the Bucknell University farm a place for amphibians to thrive, we are up to the challenge. 

A farm is only as  productive as its pollinators. Our project will focus on attracting and  housing a variety of beneficial insects and pollinators that will promote  productivity and the overall health of the farm. The incorporation of native  plants species, honeybees, orchard mason bees, ladybugs, and mini parasitic  wasps will facilitate a symbiotic relationship between our garden and the  surrounding farm. While wasps and ladybugs will deter harmful pests, the two  species of bees will pollinate the plants, negating the need for harmful  fertilizers and pesticides. Although the Bucknell farm may seem insignificant  from a global perspective, it represents a vision of a sustainable  agricultural future.

We would like to enhance the farm at Bucknell University by creating a Native Food Forest. We are focusing on native trees and shrubs because we believe that this will enhance the soil health of the farm and get us back in touch with our roots. Our hope is that the food forest will be a place where students can fully immerse themselves in nature. Our sustainability goals for this project are to create an environment that can serve as a habitat for many forms of wildlife and will help to sequester carbon. 

It is important to  have a meditation garden on campus because of the plethora of benefits it  will provide for the Bucknell community. The meditation garden will provide  an outlet for students, faculty, and staff to escape the stress of daily life  and connect to nature. We intend to create a space that will be a  multi-faceted environment as well and cater to every individual who wishes to  use the space. Off of the main path, we will have small inlets to allow for  tripods or canvases to be set up so that the beautiful scenery of the  Susquehanna river valley can be captured in a therapeutic manner.