WildLife Rehabilitation Center (The Bird)

Our day at the WildLife Rehabilitation Center was very fun. We had gotten to see so many different birds and also many different animals. Every animal that we had seen there was hurt in some kind of way and they was brought to the center to taking care of. Some of the animals that was there were even wild or some was brought in from people home. Some of them were there since they was babies and haven't left since so you can say that they see that place as home. There was this one Bird there that i thought was very interesting. It was a black crow that was able to speak. He only said certain words but it was very funny from the way he had spoke. They also had these very big rabbits that I had ever seen. One of the rabbits really didnt likr to be seen by others. He just like to stay to his self and sleep. But other then that it was a very fun time there at the WildLife Rehabilitaion Center. I would love to go baqk one day when they dont have so many Birds there. :)

-Shaqualy Cohen

Garbage Juice

Garbage juice YUCK that sounds nasty doesn't it? Do you ever take out your garbage and there is a bunch of juice in the garbage can? I did and it is digusting; it also smells awful. I watched this film on Garbage, they were talking about how it is good to try not to throw away so much, because the more you throw away the more garbage juice it makes. Did you ever wonder what happens to your garbage after you put it out? I did until I find out the answer to my question. After your garbage is collected they take it to a landfill, but before that the garbage goes through the transfer station. 45% goes to the landfill, 14% is burned, and 32% is composting or reused. When that one landfill is filled they have to go to a different one; sometimes it takes 3 days to dig a new landfill. Did you know that some garbage can be burned and will turn into energy? It's true, but you have to be careful of what you burn so that poison is not in the air. Americans produce about 230 million tons of garbage each year.

*Movie Night* (Coal Country)

Hey Leapers It's Niecy B. Here to tell you guys about this exciting movie I watched a few monthes back called Coal Country!

Before I watched Coal Country I have to admit I didn't know anything about it really except that we use it for the grill, but after watching this movie I found out that coal is alot more important to our country then I ever would have imagined. This movie, along with many other movies I've watched with SCA was a true eye opener for me. I'd like to add though that with the good, along came the bad. You'll soon find out why.

Fun Fact: Coal provides over half the eletricity in America.

In the beginning of the movie Coal Country, it talks about how important Coal is mainly in places like West Virginia. Coal is very important to the people down there, because thats how everyone works, most jobs in places like these are based off of coal, and without coal there would be no jobs, no money, no electricity etc. Coal plays a very important part in our society, and people are beginning to get worried that it will affect there lives negatively.

Prime example of a way coal is a terrible thing. A elderly woman named Judy Bonds hated the fact that the coal miners took advantage the way they did. Their were so many things that could have been prevented so that the residents in West Virgnia could live peacefully, and the miners could do there jobs, but it seemed as if the miners didn't care about the residents well being, and kept doing it there way which resulted in Ms. Judy Bonds death. Ms. Judy Bonds died January 3rd, 2011 from a terminal cancer resulting in breathing in toxic coal dust, all because the miners were to selfish to try, and come up with some sort of compromise so both the residents of West Virginia, and the miners can be happy.

Overall Coal Country was a very informative, and sad movie. It taught me a very serious lesson. Somethings may be good for the economy, but there not often good for the people.

Until next time Niecy B.

Working for that SCA

Working for the SCA have made me look at professional green jobs way differently. I had just always thought they juss worry about plants. Never knew that they had got to the other things as well. Once you start to look at things on the other side. You can really get the object of it. Once I had start working for the SCA i had notice that green jobs can also be professional. I can say one way that i am professional in this job is because of the way I work . I work to the best of my ability. I have no problem with getting dirty. I am a very good person to work with. Once you tell me to get to work I get to work. It might be a dirty job but it is a fun job that i love.

-Shaqualy Cohen

Watching Blue Gold on movie night!

Blue Gold was the movie i watched on a thursday night. Blue Gold is about how people is trying to servive with all the wars and how people is fighting just to get some water. People in africa and other places have to walk miles and miles just to get buckets of water. Some people have to drink from rivers and get there water there because of the cost of water to. Water should be free and thats how wars started over water and the cost of water. Trying to find the cleanest and biggest areas where water is people fight over that land. Untill one day a lil boy had heard about it and went to his school and made a post about it and wanted to build a whale in Africa for people to drink out of. He knew it was going to be a long time and it did, but years later his goal was completed he had enough money to make a whale in Africa!
By: Augustine Hamilton

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity's Restore has a bunch of different supplies and furniture that people bring in when they dont want it. They build houses from different scraps people bring in. They use good reusable material on houses they want to build. When we went to Habitat Restore we got really dirty,there was dust everywhere.We also painted walls and shelves, plenty of us got paint on us. That taught plenty of us to not where good clothes to work because they will get messaed up. Actually I was one of them students I got yellow paint on my pants, it was super bright.It feels good to be using materials that were used already. I am doing that so I can recycle;it is good for the Invironment.
GO GREEN!

Me at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

At the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center was fun and interesting I never saw some of the animals that was there. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center also was telling about these animals I didnt even know about! This picture right here is a owl, its one of my favrite animals that I liked when I went there. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is about when they take in or found hurt animals or when someone just dont want there pet anymore. So they take care of them untill they get better and let them go free or they just keep them for show. Some times the animals they do have there they keep to take of the younger animals.
By: Augustine Hamilton

Snyders Farm 1907

Snyders Farm was found in 1907 ,it is very amazing farm for people to go and vist. Their not like ay other farm where they have alot of animals that they raise to get there food. They also don't feed their animals grain.. they just eat straight grass. Their not like other farms that keeps their animals in little small spaces. Its very big so the animals have alot of space to roam. I love it out there it was jus very nice to see all the amazing things out there. They have these big white dogs . That had these dogs so that they will be able to protect the the goats from different like fox and wolfs. These goats really isn't scared of the dogs because they have been with them since they was babies. So the dogs sometime thinks that are goats. They also have many events that happens there. People sometime gets married there. Its a family farm and very amazing one at that.

*R.E.I* ( My Leap 2 Crew)

Hey Leapers It's Niecy B. Here to fill you guys in on my fun filled visit to R.E.I (Recreational Equipment Incorporated) !
R.E.I was a very fun, and interesting field trip for me, mainly because I'd never heard of it before and because I never really knew about a store being environmentally friendly before this one, sure recently I've heard of many more, but R.E.I was the first for me.

We started out our day at R.E.I with a tour. The tour was pretty informative, and it taught me a lot of different things about the manufacturers of the clothes they sell, and I also found out that R.E.I is sort of like a thrift store they buy and sell used clothing, but the clothing they buy and sell is alot more expensive then the average thrift store would buy annd sell, because of its quality it lasts really long. Did you know that R.E.I designed there own clothing, and they've won awards for it? I also found out while visiting R.E.I that they are a non-profit organization everything that they do is just out of the kindness of there hearts.

After our tour at R.E.I they gave the rest of the leapers and I a fun activity since R.E.I sells equipment for hiking, camping, overnight visits in the woods etc. They split the LEAP Crew into two groups, gave us a bag, and told us to walk around the store, and pick five things that would we would need to survive on a hiking trip in the woods for a month. I went with my group, and we chose our five things. The five things we chose were as follows: a tent, knife, water filter, walkie talkies, and a first aid kit. Soon after the other group got finished with picking there necessities we met at the front of the store to find out if picked the right things. It turned out both groups did a awesome job.
Overall my experience with R.E.I was wonderful I got to learn about a store I didn't know existed, found out alot about the environment, and how R.E.I contributes to our environment, and now I know what to bring with me on a camping trip!

"Awaken your sense. Immerse yourself in 17 distinct botanical experiences. Encounter something of the secret life of plants. And glimpse one of the world's greenest public gardens." Phipps Conservatory is all about Greenhouse and Sustainability. The state-of-the-art roofing system controls its own lighting and heating in the 16 different environments. Each plant is locatated in a room where the temperature best fits to their survival. There are plants all over the world. Not all the plants are going to be surround by each other because of the different climates they use to survive in their region. Also, Phipps Conservatory is currently the highest green building in the city. The reason of is because they generate its own energy using renewable resources. They have a commitment to environmental awareness so as a team they join the Renewable Choice Energy.

A day at Mount Washington was a pleasant day to be. I had such a wonderful day with my crew members and leaders. This day was Earth Day♥ (4-16) where we got together with volunteers and pulled garlic mustard from the ground. The reason we did that was because they were invasive species and we are planning to plant flowers there so that the trail looks much more attractive and nice. We also used the sifter to remove all the trash that was located in the planting area and on the trail. Also while some continued pulling garlic mustard, some was also cutting down the invasive species and going around the park picking up litter. We also continued rapping the trail markers around the trees. Therefore working with SCA you will experience and discover plenty new things in a wonderful way♥

Determined with a sense of the future. Putting forth action with a reason. To look forward to something. When the job is done being rewarded but not with a gift. Ready to change your life. Commiting to a goal of a satisfying career. These were all the thoughts running through my mind earlier this week as we toured the Bidwell Training Center. The Bidwell Training Center is a non- profit vocational and technical training school that offers training in the high- tech, culinary and medical fields. Learning about the Bidwell Traing Center opened the different options and possiblities of purseing a career in the medical field of becoming a pharmacist. That day I went into the Bidwell Training Center, I was ready to take in any information given to me. I left with a mind set ready for watever came next. The Bidwell Trainging Center is definetely an option for me in the future.

monday nights

hey LEAPers its Bree once again..writing about the Monday night LEAP II working with the middle schoolers a.k.a my little stinkers. I call them that because every since we started going out to the middle school sites these children have became like close family to me like little sisters and brothers. They are too cute; some remind me of my middle school years and not that long ago that was me.how this led me to view green jobs/profession differently. I would consider myself to be a professional while doing this job because I feel like I am a teacher working with these kids every Monday night, not just a LEAP student who is getting information from others, like when I'm in the SCA office around my co worker and crew leaders. We (leap 2) lead each other everyday because we learn together everyday. We apply that to our time with the middle school kids; we are their teachers, we teach them what we have been learning in the past two years about greening Pittsburgh. Over all Monday's for LEAP II has been super fun. I'm going to miss my students =(.

Dark days becomes sunny

Frigid days becomes warm,

Rainy days become cloudless

And lightning got wiped away from

the storm.

Oceans sing,

Rocks cry out,

Mountains roar,

And the branches shout.

The stars fall

Right out of the sky.

And the sun went to dry.

habitat for huanity restore

Did you know habitat for humanity helps people all around the world no matter the race. If they can help other people we can help them! During the winter SCA took several trips to the habitat for humanity restore. We helped them setup their store, we did just simple things like move book cases and paint shelves but in the end it made a really big difference. I didn't know that just moving things and painting all things you can do and have fun doing can make a really big difference for a business and community. All because one group of people who decided to help and make a difference the community will be better. Habitat for humanity is interesting because they take old things and sale to different people to reuse. instead of throwing it away and putting it into a landfill. This stuff is not trash it can be used again because it is not destroyed in any type of way. Just because something is used once does not mean it can't be used again!!!!!!!!!!!!

getting ready for leap 2 C.A.P

hey guys it's bree once again, this may be the last blog i post before the end of the program...tears lol but its ok ill keep in touch over the summer...i hope lol any ways i want to tell you all about a thursday that two of my co workers and a crew leader took to highland park at pool grove pavilion where our leap 2 community action project will be held at. lynicka and chev'neon sorry if i spelled your name wrong went out with barb to get a feel for what the space looks like and what we will be doing on april 30 with middle school kids from all over pittsburgh. we had alot of fun we took a lot of pics for those to see and got to know the names of different trees and aniamal that i didnt know was going to be at high land park suck as robbins blue jays ducks and other aniamals that where there. over all i think our leap to C.A.P will be very successful and way better then last years...sorry just saying but i think leap2 with end this year on a very good note with the success of our C.A.P!!!!!!! THANKS FOR READING GUYZ HOPE TO HERE FROM YOU ALL SOON AND/OR SEE YOU AT LEAP2 C.A.P

Jeff looks like he's been doing this his whole life.

Today, at our site in Mount Washington Park, Jeff, Shaqualy, Shardae, Tyonna, and I (Katie) broke off from the rest of the group to head down the trail and finish the check step we started. We were under a pretty crazy time crunch, so we had to work hard and fast. One part of putting in check steps is filling behind them with crush (basically like homemade fill rocks) to help secure them in place. In this video, Jeff was using the sledgehammer to make the crush and he has AMAZING form for someone who just started using that thing today. We all agreed that making crush is an excellent job when you have some frustrations to take out. Great job today!

Friends

Long day of hard work pays off! Coming back to visit the site has shown a improvement of what we had did as a team. I enjoy working with my crew members, especially all the laughs and giggles. =) Being around each other showed us how similar we are and how we can get things done.

Teamwork

► Hard work pays off! Each crew memeber have there own assignment to get the job done. Working at Mt. Washington park our duty was to get rid of the garlic mustard plant, scrap and even the soil and then lay the jute netting down. Laying the jute netting down help prepare for new plantings.

Day 1 of a long process♥ Just before we posed for this lovely picture, we wer rolling a huge tire from the very hillside behind us ♥ As a team we worked together and as a team we finished♥And as I, the one in the middle, was bein blinded by sun i could not wait to finish♥ But today when i went back, I felt happy with the process we made and i felt as though i accomplished something tremendous ♥

Two in One

☺ Two buildings in one sounds like a optical illusion, but in reality its only showing a reflection of another building. One of the tallest buildings downtown is made up of all glass. In the inside you can see whats out but from the outside you cannot see whats in. Whats done in the dark comes out in the light. ♥

*My SCA Experience*

Hey It's Niecy B. Here to tell you guys about my overall S.C.A Experience!

My Experience with the Student Conservation Association was wonderful, it introduced me so many new, and different things that I probably wouldn't know anything about if it weren't for me working here. I can remember my first day at the SCA I walked into a conference room full of strange faces that I'd never see before, and instantly felt eyes all over me I couldn't have been more nervous. My first day ay SCA, and I didn't know anyone I felt so awkward. Once the weeks passed, and I started to get used to everyone it wasn't so bad. I learned that everyone had positive funny attitudes and we all became the best of friends it was like my own personal family they were my leapers and we cared for one another.

As the Leap Program came to an end we began to work on our C.A.P Project ( Community Action Project) we based this particular project on violence because there seemed to be alot of that going on not only in our neighborhoods, and communitys but worldwide so it was a BIG issue that needed to be addressed. We came up with many ideas, but our main idea was to build a bench in Larimer Gardens with a message on it saying " Life is Lovely, Let It Grow' for everyone to see, because life is a truely precious gift, and it seems that alot of peoples lives are being taken for no reason at all. We also planted things, and made stepping stones for the garden as well. We ended the Leap Program with our Graduation, and some of us went on to participate in the summer Program. I myself participated in the Bioneers Intern Program.

The Bioneers Program was also an excellent experience for me, but a totally different one then the LEAP program! I loved being apart of the Bioneers Crew it taught me so many different things such as, how to be apart of a team, how to be a better leader, how to be a teacher, to always have a positive attitude, good work ethnic etc. This crew was full of so many wonderful people. We went so many different places like Falling Waters, The Macoskey Center, Round Hill Farm, Ohio Pyle etc I learned so many different things from these place I experienced a whole new world, because if it weren't for the SCA I know for a fact I wouldn't have visited so many wonderful places. I truely adore the SCA for giving me experience in so many different things, and teaching me about my world, and environment, I truely appreciate the SCA for introducing me to a whole new me the environmentally friendly Shawniece Mitchell. The Student Conservation Association is a big wonderful environmentally friendly family that does nothing but good things for this world and I am so lucky to have been apart of it! Thank You so much SCA I Love You!

Sincerely, Niecy B.

My LEAP 2!!!!!!!!!

WELL NOW THAT MAY IS ALMOST HERE THE END IS NEAR, AND IM READY TO LEAVE SCA WITH A BANG!!!!!!!! AS I SIT AT THIS COMPUTER ALONE...THIS ROOM IS SO QUIT WHICH IS SOMETHING IM NOT USE TO NOW I CAN THINK OF ALL THE GOOD AND BAD THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THIS PROGRAM. BUT JUST LOOK I WROTE A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT ALL MY LEAP 2'SSSSSSS

LYNICA= GOOFY, FUNNY ALWAYS THERE, THE ONE WHO NEVER WANTS TO GET OUT WHEN WE PLAY GAMES ILL MISS YOU NOT ONLY FOR THE THINGS WE SHARE IN COMMON BUT FOR A FRIEND THAT I SHOULDA GOT TO NO LAST YEAR WHEN WE WHERE LEAP 1.

KAYLA= THE SOON MOMMY TO BE, THE ONE I MISS SEEING IN THE HALLS AT SCHOOL WHO'S LITTLE SISTER IS THE FUNNIEST IN THE WHOLE WORLD YOU BROUGHT A MOTHERS TOUCH TO THE GROUP LET US KNOW WHEN WE WHERE RIGHT AND WRONG NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF ATTUIDE WE GOT WITH YOU AFTER LOL. I HOPE EVERYTHING GOES WELL WITH THE BABY GOOD LUCK WITH COLLEGE

LONDA=THE SENIOR AKA MISS JENNIFER HUDSON LOL HAHA ITS SAD YOU LEFT BUT I KNOW YOU WILL STILL SEE THIS YOUR FUNNY, GOOFY, CRAZY AND COOL HOPE EVERYTHING GOES WELL AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

DANA= SISTERRRRRRRR LOL THE ONE TO ONLY TEXT ME WHEN YOU THINK ITS PAYDAY LOL HAHA FUNNY BUT GOOD TIME I JUST HOPE AFTER MAY 14 THOSE TEXTS DONT STOP AND YOU TEXT AND CALL FOR MORE THEN JUST"SISTER DO WE GET PAID TODAY?". HOPE I SEE YOU AROUND

DARRYL= THE ONE TO SHOW UP TO WORK ONLY ON A TUESDAY BUT NEVER A SATURDAY OR ANY OTHER DAY YOU SIGN UP. THE TRUE LADIES MANNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!! LOL I HOPE EVERYTHING GOES WELL WITH YOU AND YOU STOP BULLYING YOUR BROTHER LOL!!

SHAWNIECE= DANGGGGG 1ST GRADE NOW WE IN THE 11TH.HAHAHA YOU STILL THE SAME CRAZY LEMINGTON DAYS IM SO GLAD WE WHERE ABLE TO SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN AFTER SO LONG WE NOW TALK ABOUT THE OLD STUFF WE REMEMBER FROM MRS.HAMMANS CLASS.LOL I WILL MISS YOU DEARLY ONCE WE STOP ON MAY 14 HOPE EVERYTHINGS WORKS OUT FOR YOU AFTER.P.S \ DONT KEEP BULLYIN RAY LOL

CHEVY= THE ONE I NEVER KNEW HOW TO SPELL HER REAL NAME LOL IM GLAD WE GO TO MEET AND GOT TO WORK TOGETHER OVER THE SUMMER AS WELL AS THIS SCHOOL YEAR I THINK WE BECAME A LITTLE CLOSER AS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING I HOPE COLLEGE GOES WELL FOR YOU.

THOMAS= THE BEST LEAP 2 CREW LEADER EVER YOU'VE LET ME KNOW ALOT AS FAR AS WHAT A REAL BOSS IS AND WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO STAY ON TOP OF MY GAME TO BE ABLE TO BE THE BEST THAT I CAN BE IN THE REAL WORD I HOPE I DO SEE YOU AGAIN AFTER WE ARE DONE ON THE 14

SAM= THE FUNNY ONE, GOOFY AND VERY COOL I HOPE I SEE YOU AFTER THE PROGRAM ENDS ON THE 14

SO MY LEAP 2 PEEPS BEING REAL WITH YALL WE ALL DONE HAD OUR UPS AND OUR DOWNS WE WILL NOT BRING THEM UP LOL HAHAHAHA BUT I WILL MISS ALL OF YOU GUYS SOOOOOOO MUCH KEEP YA HEADS UP STAY ON TOP OF IT AND IF ALL IS WELL I WILL SEE YOU GUYS NEXT SCHOOL YEAR AND WE WILL BE LEAP 3

Monday night - starting the mural

Thursday/ Mifflin - Visit to Kingsley Center

Students take a look at electronic overviews of the neighborhood and a house to see how they can improve both the environment and quality of life. Making choices like adding trees, more bus stops and cleaning green spaces result in a livable city!

Monday night crew! Ice cream and checking out our site!