2012 Poolesville High School Global Ecology Student Award

Sugarloaf Citizens Association was formed in 1973 to help preserve the agricultural and environmental quality of life in the up-county. On May 21, 2012, SCA President Jim Choukas-Bradley recognized the research and stewardship projects of several Poolesville High School Global Ecology seniors which our review committee felt particularly support this mission.

SCA President Jim Choukas-Bradley, Rebekah Miller, Amy Defnet for Adopt-A-Tree with Freshmen	Karthik Ganesuni, Comparison between Vernal and Permanent Ponds in Hardwood Deciduous Forest of the Mid-Atlantic
SCA President Jim Choukas-Bradley, Alexander Pike, Jordan Psaltakis and Tariq Beidleman for American Chestnut Research Projects	Jim Choukas-Bradley and Anna Clayton for Victory Garden and Rainscapes (with her partner Sophia Stypeck)

Copies of the Sugarloaf Regional Trails’ book Circling Historic Landscapes along with a modest stipend were presented to:

• Jennifer Price, Your Horse Just Might Have a Parasite. The results of this research contribute to equine health management and pasture and soil conservation.
• Karthik Ganesuni, Comparison between Vernal and Permanent Ponds in Hardwood Deciduous Forest of the Mid-Atlantic. The results of this research are relevant to protecting permanent ponds in hardwood forests to promote diversity in pond-based life.
• Amy Defnet and Rebekah Miller, Adopt-A-Tree with Freshmen. This project served to both ensure the health of the trees on the Poolesville High School campus and educate freshmen about their care.
• Tariq Beidleman and Jordan Psaltakis, American vs Chinese Chestnut Tree Genetic Variants and Growth. This research is detailed and significantly contributes to the work of the American Chestnut Foundation in their efforts to restore the American Chestnut tree.
• Alexander Pike, American Chestnut Test plots and Demonstration Orchard. This demonstration orchard resulted from a partnership with a builder/developer and created a visible and accessible educational opportunity for the users of a residential park.
• Carrie Cheung, Green Wall Field. This research will help protect the integrity of buildings and reduce energy consumption while encouraging insect diversity in vine plantings near buildings.
• Anna Clayton and Sophia Stypeck, Victory Garden and Rainscapes. This project provided many new native plants for Montgomery County and important rainscapes to control damaging run off.
• Project Wild students William Cartwright, Megan Connaughton, Jonique Lyles & Patricia Maloney, Lindsey Newingham, Beth Rosenbaum and Alexandra Robbins.  Project Wild is a widely used conservation and environmental education program for K-12. Sugarloaf Citizens Association recognizes that environmental education needs to start early and continue throughout life, and this year’s review committee were impressed with all of the Project Wild seniors who taught environmental units in various MCPS schools. Sugarloaf honored the Project Wild Students of 2012 with a gift of one hundred dollars to the Global Ecology Magnet to support future Project Wild student projects.