|
|
Do Scientists Study Playas? What is the Playa Lakes Joint Venture? What is Math the Science Way? Who Can Answer Some Questions? |
|
|
Do Scientists Study Playas? What is the Playa Lakes Joint Venture? What is Math the Science Way? Who Can Answer Some Questions? |
|
The Native Rangeland Teaching and Research Area is one of the remaining native range lands left in the Southern High Plains. The upland has not been cultivated and the playa has not been modified to supplement any irrigation system. Future plans for this site call for it to be managed as an area symbolizing the Shortgrass Plains Grassland of the Southern High Plains so that there will always be an example of the native range land. The area is to continue as a field teaching and research center for the Department of Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University. The site will also be made available to other University faculty for research and teaching of natural resources issues. |
Soil Scientist |
Dr. Mark Wallace is collecting data about resident mammals on the Native Rangeland and Research Area. To determine habitat use and survival of a species population, individuals are outfitted with radio transmitters that emit a designated signal that can be picked up by a receiver. Following the radio-transmitting animals, biologists can determine many aspects of a species’ life history such as habitat use, survival foods, and behavior.
|
Dr. Mark Wallace |
| The Playa Lakes Joint Venture was established in 1989 to maintain or enhance a selected number of playa lakes as habitats for wintering populations. The Joint Venture seeks to ensure that birds have sufficient feeding areas, evenly distributed watering areas, and safe environments. The partners include U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Phillips Petroleum Company, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, Texas Waterfowlers Association, and Texas Tech University. |
|
| Math The Science Way: High Plains Ecology was a year-long project for a group of twelve Lubbock Independent School District classroom teachers (8 elementary teachers and 4 junior high teachers) who studied playa ecology and explored the activities in the Playa Teaching Trunks (developed by the PLJV). Supported by Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Funds, this integrated math, science, and technology project helped teachers and their students identify the mathematics applications in regional, ecological concepts – giving relevance and context to content. |
Pressing Plants |
| Teachers studied the soils, formation, and function of playa lakes wetlands; variability and diversity of habitat; plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates of the playa community; and land management to benefit wildlife and humans. They collected written notes and digital photos in the field to help develop the Native Rangeland and High Plains Ecology sites to further support student activities. |
Testing Water Samples |
Who Can Answer Some Questions?
| Dr. Dave Haukos E-Mail: david.haukos@ttu.edu Phone: (806) 742-2841 Mailing Address: Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 79409 |
Dr. Julie Thomas E-Mail: jtbirdwatcher@gmail.com Phone: 405-744-8018 Oklahoma State University College of Education 245 Willard Stillwater, OK 74078 |
