Country Trail, one of the roads that flows into the Leesville campus, has recently seen an explosion of a new housing development. The development, much like everything else in Raleigh, requires a significant amount of trees to be cut down.
For Dr. Stone’s AP Environmental Science class, this is an unfortunate blow.
Every few weeks or so, the class takes a walk into these woods. Here the students observe, experience and write about nature.
A portion of these woods, however, has been toppled over and turned into housing space, invading the peaceful setting that was once there.
“I am never happy to see forest land converted into yard,” said Stone. “But the fact is, it is higher density [housing], so that is more sensible planning. It also has less of an impact than lots that are kept up and mowed.”
The higher density housing takes up less space and is more environmentally friendly.
Not only has this upset the APES classes, it has also disrupted the remaining environment. The land that is near the houses will be prone to erosion and fertilizer runoff from people’s backyards.
Dr. Stone however, has used this tragedy as a learning experience for both himself and his students.
“It is interesting to learn about the effect these new houses have on the environment,” said Tyler Proctor, second period APES student.
Luckily for the APES classes, Dr. Stone does not see anyway in which their class walks should be disturbed, since there is enough woodland left nearby.
It is unfortunate that these woods have been cut down, but “that’s progress,” said Stone.
