Newsletter - Spring 2009

Adventures in Outreach

Soil Conservation Project for Davis Cub Scout Den

The den is located in Davis and filled with nine third grade boys ready to earn their “Water and Soil Conservation Badge” this spring.

Graduate Student Soil Experts Dylan Beaudette and Garrett Liles introduced the cubs to the “Sierra to the Sea Soil Project” as well as the “Soil Monolith Exhibition”. The main event took place outside Davis at the “Vic Fazio Wildlife Area” where the group needed to:

1. Dig a hole and describe the different horizons of the soil profile
2. Explore three different kinds of soil
3. Visit a damaged/ecologically sensitive area with a soil or water conservation expert to find how it is being treated
4. Find out what to plant to minimize erosion

Not just the graduate students seemed to have had a great time:
“Thanks so much for the wonderful soil conservation trip today. The boys really enjoyed themselves--they couldn't stop talking about dirt and mud on our drive home. We appreciate all the time you took setting up this great program for us!”