· Select a natural area (e.g., local park, nature center, etc.) near you and visit the location. Take photographs. No Google Earth Street Photographs.
· Select a shopping center near you and visit the shopping center. You can use a shopping center you visit frequently. Take photographs. No Google Earth Street Photographs.
· The natural area and shopping center should be approximately the size. You can use Google Earth to determine the area of the natural area/park and shopping center (See instructions on Google Earth for obtaining measurements-ruler function).
· Identify and compare how the following are used at both locations:
. Energy (identify where energy is used)
. Solid Waste (how is solid waste disposed of)
. Water (storm drainage and water use)
· Determine the approximate area (in square feet) devoted to the following at both locations:
· Parking Lot
· Building Footprint
· Green Space (e.g., grass, shrubs, trees, landscaping, etc.)
You will also need to convert all values to percentages for each location. The approximate area should be presented as a pie graph for comparison purposes.
Answer the following questions:
· What are the differences between land cover for each site?
· How is storm water drainage handled at each location?
· How is energy used at each location (e.g., lights, buildings, etc.)?
· What are sources for storm water runoff contamination?
· Summarize the difference between the land use practices.
What to Submit?
· Aerial photographs of both locations (Google Earth can provide jpg of locations)
· Site photographs from both locations
· Numerical values of all area calculations (Percentages)
· Answers to the discussion questions in paragraph form (1-2 pages typed report)
Discussion Questions (put into a summary)
· What are the differences between land cover for each site?
· How is stormwater drainage handled at each location?
· How is energy used at each location (e.g., lights, buildings, etc.)?
· What are sources for stormwater runoff contamination?
· Summarize the difference between the land use practices.