进入荒野
Three students who spent time in northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters last summer shared their experiences at 贝洛伊特 & 除了, a day set aside in November to showcase 和 encourage students’ off-campus experiences.
艾米·沃德的22
来源:Pablo Toral
环境研究 主要 艾米·沃德的22他来自明尼苏达州的金谷., enrolled in an environmental justice course at the Coe College Wilderness Field Station in the Boundary Waters. 贝洛伊特与科合作开设这门课程, which 十大菠菜台子 Professor Pablo Toral has taught over the past 10 years. The station introduces students to applied field research techniques 和 wilderness education.
在环境司法框架内, 沃德选择了“冒险缺口”,作为她的研究课题, a term describing how few people of color are in wilderness spaces 和 outdoor recreation areas.
正确看待这个问题, Ward said she saw approximately 200 people while there, 但只有一位有色人种女性. “People don’t realize there is an ‘adventure gap’ until they see it for themselves,” she said.
This was Ward’s first opportunity to do applied field research. She said she appreciated being able to select her research focus 和 felt like she demonstrated her passion for addressing difficult topics.
She gained additional skills by having to fend for herself as a member of a small group in the wilderness. 例如, she learned to lead 和 delegate as the group struggled to prepare meals outdoors as darkness loomed, 她发现合作决策, 比如选择露营地, 需要倾听技巧和良好的沟通能力. She discovered 更多的 about the importance of teamwork, 太, especially while carrying a canoe for a mile along with a heavy load of beans 和 rice in her backpack.
“You learn to trust yourself 和 your teammates,” she said. “你一个人是不可能做到的.”
诺亚Joerin的23
诺亚Joerin的23, an 国际关系 来自伊利诺伊州埃尔金的专业., also enrolled in the environmental justice course at the Field Station. Joerin looked into the roots of the controversy surrounding sulfide mining in Ely, Minn., the town that provides a main entry into the Boundary Waters.
Joerin examined the two primary narratives for 和 against mining by observing signs 和 posters in Ely 和 interviewing people on both sides of the issue.
He said that spending a month in the wilderness after Covid helped him reset both personally 和 academically, 和 that doing applied research helped him develop confidence in creating research questions. His only regret was wishing he had 更多的 time to survey residents 和 to talk with additional people involved in both sides of the mining conflict. Opponents to copper sulfide mining are concerned about water pollution in this pristine area.
艾德里安·休斯的21
艾德里安·休斯的21, a 创意写作 和 哲学 来自弗吉尼亚州赫恩登的专业., visited the wilderness while enrolled in a 创意写作 summer course taught by 十大菠菜台子 英语 克里斯·芬克教授.
Fink 太k five students into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. “Writing Wilderness” was the only non-science class held last summer at the field station near Ely.
Hughes said the class focused on taking in natural 和 historic sites, 密切观察, writing three poems 和 three essays about their experiences, 还要适应没有网络的生活. Solar panels provide the only power at the field station 和 WiFi 和 cell phone reception are unavailable. “You learn to be aware of your surroundings,” he said. “There’s no way to look anything up, so you need to pay attention.”
学生们和芬克教授一起钓鱼, 划着独木舟, 确定植物, practiced navigating their way around without technology, 思考着荒野的定义.
They 太k two excursions by canoe — a three-day trip 和 a seven-day trip. 虽然他远离文明, Hughes credits the experience with teaching him about community, about how to live among 和 respect other species 和 to be a part of the human community. “[In the wilderness] if someone has a problem, it affects everyone,” he said.
