Conserving the Environment - Research Proposal Example

PREPROPOSAL Project Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Project The purpose of this project will be to plant more trees around the university’s compound and its environs and to create awareness among students about the importance of environmental conservation. Planting trees will bring major environmental benefits to the University of Arizona. For example, the trees will help in cleaning the air. They will also assist in cooling the environment, conserving water and conserving energy. Moreover, the trees will be a habitat for animals, and they will also help in preventing soil erosion. Environmental awareness, on the other hand, will help in educating students on their role in conserving the environment. The project will aim at educate students through training programs and environmental campaigns. Various environmental topics such as waste management and energy conservation will be focused on. The target of the project will be to plant 500 tree seedlings and to educate more than 5000 students. Different varieties of trees will be planted. The trainings will be facilitated by experts in the field of environment and will target 50 students per training session. Facilitators will only focus on environmental issues. Trainings will enhance environmental sustainability since students will be able to apply what they will learn. Concerning campaigns, two campaigns will be conducted each month. The campaigns are expected to bring various benefits to the population of Arizona. For instance, they will change students’ perceptions on various environmental issues as well as enhance students’ commitment towards practices that enhance environmental protection. The project will aim at utilizing the efforts of volunteers to ensure the outlined activities are implemented in an efficient and timely manner. Themes of the campaigns will incorporate issues to do with waste management and energy conservation. The project will positively impact sustainability at the university through enhancing environmental awareness and conservation as well as promoting environmental unity. 2. Stakeholders: Different groups of people will aid in the implementation process of this project. They will contribute to its success either directly or indirectly. The first group of people will be the board members of the University of Arizona. They will support the project through decision making. They will provide consent for implementation of various project activities. They will also decide where trees will be planted. The input of lecturers from the School of Natural Resources and Environment, as well as the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, will also be considered. These people will advice on the best species of tree to be planted and how they will be planted. They will also offer advice on the best methods of making the project more viable. Community members around the University will also be consulted. Such a move will be very important because trees will be planted within the university and its environs. Community’s members will be urged to take part voluntarily in environmental campaigns as well as assist in the tree planting exercise. Services of experts from the United States Environmental Protection Agency will also be sought. Together with the lecturers, they will offer training services in relevant environmental areas. Finally, students from the University of Arizona will be part of the stakeholders through their voluntary participation in various project activities. Participants from the ‘Students for Sustainability’ organization will spearhead the implementation process. Other stakeholders include staff and subordinate staff of the University. 3. Benefits to UA Students The tree planting and environmental awareness project will mainly engage students from the University of Arizona. The Five Levels of Student Engagement I. Administrative Co-Leader: The chairperson of ‘Students for Sustainability’ organization will lead the project. This person will consult with the university’s board from time to time during the implementation process. The individual will also work with lecturers and other staff members to ensure project activities are not interrupted. The co-leader, for instance, will determine when trainings are to be conducted and when campaigns are to be carried out. II. Coordinator: Three student coordinators will be in charge of the project. One will coordinate tree planting activities while the other one will coordinate training activities. The last student will coordinate campaign activities. These three coordinators will be responsible for making important decisions concerning project activities in their respective areas. They will work together in ensuring activities run concurrently and that no activity lags behind. They will also support the administrative co-leader. III. Student Worker: One student worker will assist in delegated duties, but the individual will not make decisions concerning the project. This student will mainly concentrate on data collection during project implementation. The individual will also be entrusted with the task of taking important notes during trainings and designing campaign materials and themes. During tree planting activities, the students will ensure all the necessary equipment is available. IV. Student Volunteer: The number of student volunteers will not be restricted. As many students as possible will be encouraged to participate in the project in various capacities depending on how duties will be assigned. Volunteers will assist in encouraging people to get involved in the project, designing campaign materials and transporting tree seedlings. They may also donate tools that may benefit the project. V. Experiential Learner: These are groups of students who will be trained or rather who will be educated concerning environmental conservation. They will also be allowed to take part in campaigns. 4. Projected Outcomes I. Short-Term Impacts: The first immediate short-term impact in reference to tree planting is that the trees will enhance environmental beautification hence bringing esthetic value. In reference to creating awareness, environmental unification will be promoted based on the fact that many students will come together with one agenda of conserving the environment. Trainings, on the other hand, will increase environmental knowledge among students. This knowledge will be applied in their daily activities. II. Long-Term Impacts: The long-term impact is that trees will combat the effects of climate change by controlling gaseous exchange in the atmosphere. When they mature, the trees will also be a habitat for animals such as birds and insects. Some trees may also be used for research purposes by the University. Moreover, they will help in reducing soil erosion alongside conserving water and energy. Knowledge gained through awareness will promote an environmental culture that will be passed to future generations’ hence promoting sustainability. Works Cited Office of Sustainability. “Student Guide to the UA Green Fund.” Studentaffairs.arizona.edu. Web. 10 April 2015. University of Arizona. “UA Green Fund.” Studentaffairs.arizona.edu. Web. 10 April 2015. Read More