Community Assignment Instructions Select a natural area (e.g., local park, nature center, etc.) near you and visit the lo

Community Assignment Instructions

• Select a natural area (e.g., local park, nature center, etc.) near you and visit the location. Take photographs or use Google Earth Street Photographs.
• Select a shopping center near you and visit the shopping center. You can use a shopping center you visit frequently. Take photographs or use Google Earth Street Photographs.
• The natural area and shopping center should be approximately the size. You can use Google Earth to determine the area of the natural area/park and shopping center (See instructions on Google Earth for obtaining measurements-ruler function).
• Identify and compare how the following are used at both locations:

• • Energy (identify where energy is used)

  • Solid Waste (how is solid waste disposed of)

  • Water (storm drainage and water use)

• Determine the approximate area (in square feet) devoted to the following at both locations:

  • Parking Lot

  • Building Footprint

  • Green Space (e.g., grass, shrubs, trees, landscaping, etc.)

You will also need to convert all values to percentages for each location.  The approximate area should be presented as a pie graph for comparison purposes. 

Answer the following questions:

• What are the differences between land cover for each site?
• How is storm water drainage handled at each location?
• How is energy used at each location (e.g., lights, buildings, etc.)?
• What are sources for storm water runoff contamination?
• Summarize the difference between the land use practices.