Misericordia University, Lehman Sanctuary collaborate on environmental program

LEHMAN TWP. – Representatives of the Department of Biology at Misericordia University and the Lehman Sanctuary recently unveiled the collaborative environmental program, “The Language of Water: A Forest-to-Classroom First,’’ at the Lehman Sanctuary.

Misericordia University purchased and then installed telemetry equipment in the wetlands of the 17-acre site, which also contains old forest, natural meadows and prime wildlife habitat. Environmental and educational grants from Pennsylvania American Water and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection made the purchase of the high-tech equipment possible.

The new water quality testing equipment enables Misericordia University student and faculty researchers, as well as elementary, middle and high school students participating in the program, to monitor the health of the stream in real time by collecting important data. Several individual probes positioned in the wetland stream measure pH, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity – all of which help characterize the overall health of the stream.

Geostationary satellites collect data from the probes and make it available remotely via computer cloud storage. The collected data, sent in raw, binary form, also is suitable to be used by students in computer programming classes as they learn how to convert the binary data to the actual measurements.

Overall, the installed equipment allows Misericordia University and participants in the program to monitor environmental conditions and aspects of biodiversity at the sanctuary. The probes provide constant data for scientific assessment of water quality and more opportunities to protect natural resources, while advancing the understanding of and commitment to environmental protection in the region.

Misericordia University has been utilizing the Lehman Sanctuary as an outdoor classroom for select classes, according to Cosima Wiese, Ph.D., associate professor of biology. The telemetry equipment will enhance and expand learning opportunities for students of all ages.

Representatives of the Department of Biology at Misericordia University and the Lehman Sanctuary unveiled the collaborative environmental program, ‘The Language of Water: A Forest-to-Classroom First,’ at the Lehman Sanctuary in Lehman Township. Misericordia purchased and then installed telemetry equipment in the wetlands. Grants from Pennsylvania American Water (PAW) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection made the purchase possible. The new water quality testing equipment enables student and faculty researchers, as well as elementary and high school classrooms in the program, to monitor the health of the stream in real time by collecting important data. Participating in the program, from left, are Mark Cross, senior operations manager for PAW, Chris Miller, president Lehman Sanctuary; Misericordia University President Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., Cosima Wiese, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, and Angela Asirvatham, B.V.Sc., Ph.D., associate professor of biology.

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/web1_FOR-PUBLICATION-Lehman-Sanctuary-1.jpgRepresentatives of the Department of Biology at Misericordia University and the Lehman Sanctuary unveiled the collaborative environmental program, ‘The Language of Water: A Forest-to-Classroom First,’ at the Lehman Sanctuary in Lehman Township. Misericordia purchased and then installed telemetry equipment in the wetlands. Grants from Pennsylvania American Water (PAW) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection made the purchase possible. The new water quality testing equipment enables student and faculty researchers, as well as elementary and high school classrooms in the program, to monitor the health of the stream in real time by collecting important data. Participating in the program, from left, are Mark Cross, senior operations manager for PAW, Chris Miller, president Lehman Sanctuary; Misericordia University President Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., Cosima Wiese, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, and Angela Asirvatham, B.V.Sc., Ph.D., associate professor of biology. Submitted photo

Misericordia University Associate Biology Professor Cosima Wiese, Ph.D., turns on the telemetry equipment at the Lehman Sanctuary to start the ‘The Language of Water: A Forest-to-Classroom First’ program.

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/web1_FOR-PUBLICATION-Lehman-Sanctuary-2.jpgMisericordia University Associate Biology Professor Cosima Wiese, Ph.D., turns on the telemetry equipment at the Lehman Sanctuary to start the ‘The Language of Water: A Forest-to-Classroom First’ program. Submitted photo