Day 1: Arrival
All of the participants on the trip will arrive and become acquainted with everyone participating on the trip. Everyone will get settled in their rooms, and refreshed after their long flights. At the end of the day we will have a nice dinner out, and everyone will get to bed fairly early in preparation for the following day, the first day of activities.
Day 2: Endangered Species
Morning:
Learn about the deforestation in the Banff National Park and how it negatively affects the forest. Participants will write letters to the government, proposing a new law that will help protect the lichen.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
We will meet with local legislators and hand deliver the letters proposing the law to stop logging companies from cutting down trees with Methuselah's Beard lichen on it, or any trees within a 20 foot radius of it.
Learn about the deforestation in the Banff National Park and how it negatively affects the forest. Participants will write letters to the government, proposing a new law that will help protect the lichen.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
We will meet with local legislators and hand deliver the letters proposing the law to stop logging companies from cutting down trees with Methuselah's Beard lichen on it, or any trees within a 20 foot radius of it.
Day 3: Endangered Species
Morning:
Learn the essential information about grizzly bears, and why they are an endangered species. Brainstorm the best foods to plant for the grizzly bears, but ultimately, decide on blackberry bushes.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
We will go into the forest and plant blackberry bushes for the grizzly bears to feed on which will benefit the bears by allowing them to reproduce in greater quantities in the future.
Learn the essential information about grizzly bears, and why they are an endangered species. Brainstorm the best foods to plant for the grizzly bears, but ultimately, decide on blackberry bushes.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
We will go into the forest and plant blackberry bushes for the grizzly bears to feed on which will benefit the bears by allowing them to reproduce in greater quantities in the future.
Day 4: Land Degradation
Morning:
We will write a proposal to the government, explaining that we want a portion of the Banff National Park to be set aside, and left alone so that deforestation doesn't completely destroy the forest, and the species in the forest can continue to thrive.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
After completing our proposal, we will walk through the park, collecting signatures for our proposal. Finally, after all preparation is completed, we will send our letter to the government.
We will write a proposal to the government, explaining that we want a portion of the Banff National Park to be set aside, and left alone so that deforestation doesn't completely destroy the forest, and the species in the forest can continue to thrive.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
After completing our proposal, we will walk through the park, collecting signatures for our proposal. Finally, after all preparation is completed, we will send our letter to the government.
Day 5: Land Degradation
Morning:
We will take a hike on a path throughout the park in search of evidence of illegal logging/clearing. We will also have cameras handy in order to photograph all of the evidence we find.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
We will create a Facebook page for the illegal logging/clearing in Banff National Park, and post all of the photos taken on the hike on the page. This will raise awareness of the illegal logging/clearing in the park, and also establish evidence of the illegal logging if police or anyone else wants to investigate the case.
We will take a hike on a path throughout the park in search of evidence of illegal logging/clearing. We will also have cameras handy in order to photograph all of the evidence we find.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
We will create a Facebook page for the illegal logging/clearing in Banff National Park, and post all of the photos taken on the hike on the page. This will raise awareness of the illegal logging/clearing in the park, and also establish evidence of the illegal logging if police or anyone else wants to investigate the case.
Day 6: Pollution
Morning: We will take a hike to Lake Louise and conduct purity tests on the water. We will record our results for later use.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon: We will use the data we recorded and create a pamphlet about how oil sands are polluting the park's water supply, using the data we recorded earlier.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon: We will use the data we recorded and create a pamphlet about how oil sands are polluting the park's water supply, using the data we recorded earlier.
Day 7: Pollution
Morning:
The leaders will inform everyone about oil sands and how they are negatively affecting the environment by emitting more carbon into the environment. We will learn about how trees can help lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
Plant trees to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the park while jamming out to "green" songs.
The leaders will inform everyone about oil sands and how they are negatively affecting the environment by emitting more carbon into the environment. We will learn about how trees can help lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
Plant trees to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the park while jamming out to "green" songs.
Day 8: Pollution
Morning:
Hike around Bow Lake, observing all the wildlife that depends on the lake - specifically mammals that depend on the fish and amphibians in the lake. Canoe/kayak across the Lake. Look at water samples from the lake under a microscope, and observe microrganisms. Learn about the microrganisms that live in the lake that support the ecosystem and how if these organisms have traces of harmful pesticides, it affects the entire ecosystem.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon: Go for a hike in the forest to see if group members recognize any mammals or birds they saw at the lake. Learn about how pollution of the lake leads to ecosystem disturbances in the boreal forest.
Hike around Bow Lake, observing all the wildlife that depends on the lake - specifically mammals that depend on the fish and amphibians in the lake. Canoe/kayak across the Lake. Look at water samples from the lake under a microscope, and observe microrganisms. Learn about the microrganisms that live in the lake that support the ecosystem and how if these organisms have traces of harmful pesticides, it affects the entire ecosystem.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon: Go for a hike in the forest to see if group members recognize any mammals or birds they saw at the lake. Learn about how pollution of the lake leads to ecosystem disturbances in the boreal forest.
Day 9: Pollution
Morning:
Go whitewater rafting on river near Lake Louise just to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the last day and to take pictures to show people at home to represent why Banff and all of its natural beauty needs to be protected.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
Upon return, create a website for awareness about pesticides and the harmful effect nearby farms can have on the forest. Add the pictures taken on rafting trip. Include online petitions against harmful pesticide use on farms near Banff on the website.
Go whitewater rafting on river near Lake Louise just to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the last day and to take pictures to show people at home to represent why Banff and all of its natural beauty needs to be protected.
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon:
Upon return, create a website for awareness about pesticides and the harmful effect nearby farms can have on the forest. Add the pictures taken on rafting trip. Include online petitions against harmful pesticide use on farms near Banff on the website.
Day 10: Departure
Everyone will pack their bags for their flights and say their goodbyes to their new friends before departing for the airport. All participants will be given gift bags in order to continue to inform the public of the problems in the boreal forest after their departure, and fun goodies.
