By James Martinez//
Students in the Hood College Coastal Studies program spent five days in New Germany State Park to study the ecology, local fauna, history and water quality in the mountains of western Maryland.
The trip, which ran from Sept. 8–12, is one of three core trips included in the program’s curriculum.
Located deep in the mountains of western Maryland, New Germany State Park has no cell service, offering students an ideal opportunity to fully commit to fieldwork and environmental observation.
The purpose of the trip was to investigate the local ecosystem and assess the environmental impact of abandoned coal mines. The group examined how these mines have affected water quality in the area.
Program coordinator Catherine Gaudlip noted the range of opinions expressed by local residents about the ongoing environmental risks.
“Some of the people say it’s not as big of a problem—well, I mean, it still is, but not as much anymore—and others still think that it’s a really big issue,” Gaudlip said.
Even with these concerns, students observed signs of recovery in the region’s natural environment.
“The entire area does seem to be improving, and it has a lot of plants and life growing,” Gaudlip said. “But two years from now, when we go on this trip again, it could be completely different.”
During the trip, students also studied local fauna and the surrounding forest ecosystem.
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