Join the Squam Lakes Association (SLA) on Saturday, April 14th, from 10am to 12pm for a morning of fun as we build homemade terrariums out of recycled plastic bottles, glass jars, or other containers. Participants will join Lakes Region Conservation Corps (LRCC) member, Kyle Salmons, to learn the proper steps necessary to build a small and self-sustainable terrarium. Depending on the weather, the group will be outside on the SLA deck with a beautiful view overlooking Squam Lake. All ages are welcome!
A terrarium is a closed environment, and can actually be used to illustrate how an ecosystem naturally works. Inside a terrarium's walls, many different natural processes may be observed: photosynthesis, respiration, and the water cycle. Making your own terrarium is fun and surprisingly easy - and equally easy to maintain. Whatever the climate may be in your home, a terrarium—given a healthy dose of indirect light and an occasional spritz of water—will be fully self-sustaining. The SLA works hard to protect our watershed, and believes that conservation starts with a love of the land, and what better way to understand this than to make your own little world that represents a fully functioning environment.
By the end of this program, participants will have a broad understanding of the natural processes that occur in our environment, and how it affects our watershed. This will be garnered through making your own terrarium and a short PowerPoint presentation describing the water cycle and other natural processes. Recycled plastic bottles will be supplied but participants are urged to bring their own containers. Mason Jars work very well in this regard. While this program is most useful to children, adults are encouraged to come as well! It will be a relaxing start to the weekend, and a chance to practice your green thumb before spring! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, or to sign up for this Adventure Ecology Program, visit the SLA website (squamlakes.org) or contact the SLA directly (603-968-7336). The SLA also offers other Adventure Ecology trips throughout the year every Tuesday and Saturday. These free programs are open to the public and cover a variety of nature and conservation related topics. The Adventure Ecology programs are presented by the Lakes Region Conservation Corps members at the SLA who participate in up to a yearlong AmeriCorps program performing important conservation work in support of the Association’s mission.
