OLD GROWTH TREES
At the University of Michigan
Our Project: Offsetting Carbon Emissions with Old Growth "Champion" Sequoias
We designed a prototype of our permaculture forest for an 8.5 acre plot on Dixborough Road by the Mattheai Botanical Gardens at the University of Michigan. Utilizing this prototype plot, the University could begin researching the carbon sequestration of these old growth trees as well as launch breakthrough initiatives surrounding the research and implementation of permaculture designs.
Research
Each member of our team researched a different aspect of our project and wrote a paper summarizing their findings. Findings from these papers are used throughout the site. Each paper can be downloaded by clicking the links below:
David Milarch, Micropropagation and Wise Sustainability Funding
Permaculture's Potential at the University of Michigan
U of M Sustainability Goals- Carbon emissions
Human Health and Economic Benefits of Green Spaces
Layout and Design
Our team designed a layout for a vacant plot of land near the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Though this layout is designed for the topography of the plot we chose, it can be redesigned and scaled to a plot of any size.
We also designed two cross-section of our system and a video explanation of how the swale works. The cross-sections can be found here and the video can be found here.
Presentation and Wix Site
On April 21st, 2014, our group presented our findings to an audience comprised of local stakeholders. The presentation was also a call to action for anyone in attendance to join our team in planting sequoias on the following Friday, April 26th.
Here is a link to the Presi used during it.
Photo, from left to right: John Yates, Adam Kosempel, Nathan Ayers, Abijah Simons, Andrea Haugen, Isa Gaillard, and Katie Kriwin.
Planting in the Nichols Arboretum
On April 25th, 2014, our project team along with the many friends we made during the semester will be planting twelve Old Growth "Champion" Sequoia trees in the Nichols Arboretum. These trees will serve as a proof of concept as well as begin to reverse the CO2 our University has emitted.