U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District
Biologist David Leput visited Buffalo public Schools West Hertel Academy,
Buffalo, NY to discuss the Regulatory and Civil Works Programs, and to educate
students on the science of environmental restoration.
A group of 14 students in the Great Lakes Explorer’s Club
were presented with an overview of the Regulatory Program, including a
discussion on how Mr. Leput came to where he is today: working as a biologist
at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Leput also discussed the larger Civil Works Program and
pointed out some of the more prominent aspects, such as the construction of
dams and flood control projects. Leput emphasized that students don’t have to
look far to see examples of USACE projects at work. Every student raised their
hand when asked whether or not they’re familiar with the Outer Harbor or
Buffalo River, both of which benefit from UASCE Civil Works and Regulatory
activities.
Leput had a clear knack for distilling complex environmental
topics, from climate change to environmental degradation, into simple
easy-to-comprehend concepts for students to understand.
He described two very relevant and local environmental
restoration projects undertaken by the USACE Buffalo District: Times Beach
Nature Preserve near the Buffalo Outer Harbor, and the Braddock Bay Ecosystem
Restoration Project, in Greece, NY. Students were educated on the basics of
environmental restoration and what it takes to bring these types of projects to
fruition.
The discussion finished with an interactive activity in
which the students were asked how they might implement an environmental restoration
project. The students were given a specific restoration goal and were directed
to discuss in small groups various methods they might employ to achieve that
goal.
“The student’s responses were creative, insightful, and
included a host of out-of-the box suggestions that underscored the imaginative
power of young minds,” said Leput.
These types of presentations, which take student’s minds out
of the classroom and showcase real-world applications of science and
technology, are invaluable to the educational development of young people
interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics.