Annabelle B., CWSF’24

“I have loved seeing the differences in each of the bodies of water that we have paddled in, and I feel like I have a better and more tangible understanding of man’s relationship with the different water features of the Chesapeake Watershed and how these communities are in turn affected by these features.”

- Annabelle B., CWSF’24

October 14

We started this week by measuring oysters that we are growing off of Gunston’s dock, and evaluating the water quality of the area in order to contribute to a community science program that is aimed to measure the relationship between water parameters and oyster ecology. Throughout the week, we explored eco poetry in our literature class, worked toward finishing research for our capstone projects, and in government, we continued to discuss the processes of how a bill is made before it goes through the legislative process to become a law. At the end of this week, we took a day trip to kayak in Millstream Park along a stream that flows into the Corsica river, discussing natural differences in the waterways and landscapes that we have observed throughout the semester on our comparative paddles.

We have measured our oysters a couple of times by now, and each time that we do I feel my appreciation and understanding of these creatures deepening. I love seeing the oysters progress, and observing every detail of their intricate shells as we measure them, whilst also bonding with my peers on the dock as we grow closer throughout the semester. I have especially enjoyed our paddles, and I am sad to have already completed all three of our kayak trips.