Name: _______Alexis Chiribao______________

Nature Walk
YOU WILL NEED A CAMERA FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT! Visit a local county or city
run park for a nature walk. A follow-up question set AND multiple pictures will be
required to earn the full points.

Locations: You can go to any nature area that you wish, but there are a couple of rules!
1. Choose a place that has distinct trails and trail markers. Do not just pull to the side of the road and start
running through a field!!
2. Choose a place that has actual nature areas -- not a manicured park! If you see a swing set, you are not
in a "nature area"!
3. Stay on the trails! Pack out whatever you pack in! No littering! No fires! Be a responsible member of
nature!!!!
4. If you are looking for a place to go, try searching here: http://ocparks.com/

Questions: Your nature walk should be a minimum of 30 minutes!!!

1. Take a picture yourself at the TRAILHEAD sign or the sign that leads into the Park of your choice.
SELFIE! This is proof that you were at an actual nature area. Attach or make an electronic file…you
will have several pictures in it.
a. Write the name of the location that you went for your Nature Walk here:
a. Harding Nature Trail in the Irvine Regional Park

2. Vegetation:
a. Note the vegetation in the area. As you walk through, determine what three different plants
best represent the ecosystem that you are visiting (i.e. the dominant vegetation type). Attach or
e-file the pictures and label “Vegetation”. Complete the following for your representative plants:

Plant Name Leaf Size Leaf Distinguishing Plant Structure

(If you know it (estimate) Color Features (tree, shrub,
or a descriptive name) (hairs, spines, grass/herbs)
odors, texture,
etc.)
1 Lobelia 8cm Green Long, toothed Shrub
leaves

2 Sycamore 10-20cm Green Camouflage colors Tree

wide in bark
Dome shaped top
structure
3 Oak 7.5cm Green Provide great shade Tree
Tall
Twisting smaller
branches growing
from wide
spreading branches
 b. Based on the trends that you see in the vegetation, what type of biome do you think this area
represents?? Why? Forest. Dominated by trees and contain many different plants and
animals.

c. What kind of influence do you think humans have on this area’s vegetation? Are there non-
native or invasives that you can see? Is there a watering system or run-off that you can see?
Trash? Other? Explain. Heavy human influence on this area since it is in a regional park. The
trails were outlines by human. There were beer bottle caps on the ground and other debris.
There was a trash can at the end of the trail. I didn’t see any nonnative vegetation.

3. Wildlife:
a. Find a spot along your trail and plop down on the ground (or on a rock or whatever). Sit quietly for
FIVE WHOLE MINUTES! And observe your surroundings. As you observe, use all of your senses
(well…maybe not taste). Make notes of any of the following wildlife that you
observe/hear/smell/etc… Any pictures you can get would be great!
Reptiles Birds Butterflies Other Insects Mammals Amphibians
Nuttall’s 0 Ants Chipmunk 0
0 Woodpecker Flies
Plain Titmouse
House Wren

b. Do you think that humans influence the types of organisms that are found in your nature site? If
humans were not here, do you think there would be more species diversity? Fewer “trash species”
(like raccoons, rats, flies, pigeons,etc.)? Explain your answer.
a. I think that if humans were not here there would be more species diversity. There were
many flies in the trail, mostly around the trashcan. I think that the trail is so frequented by
human, that it was unlikely that more wildlife would have come out, not matter how long I
sat there in silence.

4. Conclusions:
a. Take a final picture of yourself at the end of your nature walk. SELFIE! Attach or put in e-file.

b. Compare your selfies at the beginning and at the end of your nature walk. Do you see any
differences in yourself? Your demeanor or appearance or attitude? Self-assess.

a. I look a lot happier at the end of the hike. I think it was very peaceful and energizing. The 5
min of silence was especially relaxing/calming.

c. Does the nature area that you visited support Biodiversity? This is deliberately vague – answer the
best that you can.
a. I think it does because it has a trail clearly marked so that people do not step on
vegetation or possible animals/their homes.
d. Is the establishment of “nature areas” (trails, parks, etc) important to the plants and animals of a
given area? Explain.
a. It’s important because it keeps them safe. Preservation of land, animals, and habitats.
However, it would be a problem if those areas get invasive animals, exotic weeds, and
vines. Additionally, human diseases are on the rise.

e. Is the establishment of “nature areas” (trails, parks, etc) important to the Humans of a given area?
Explain.
a. Yes. They provide great recreational benefit. They are a great escape from busy city life in
society.

f. Who benefits more do you think (compare c and d above)?

a. Humans benefit the most because they use it for enjoyment and to add to their life. It is
not a necessity, but a pleasure to be able to experience. nature is associated with reduced
stress and improved work performance.

g. Are nature areas/parks a part of “sustainability” or not? This is deliberately vague – answer the
best that you can.
a. They are because they allow for the preservation of biodiversity. They try to leave nature
unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. They promote conservation and
sustainability.

Attach/print your photos OR make an e-file that you can send to me.

2 BEFORE PHOTOS:
1 AFTER PHOTO: