Self-Guided Field Trip

GEOG 301: Bay Area Environments Fall 2021

Introduction

Self-Guided Field Trip Due Nov. 30th by MIDNIGHT

The Bay Area is a unique and diverse place. A mixture of natural wonder and large urban centers. We’ve discussed many aspects of the Bay Area, including water, garbage, transportation, and agriculture. Visiting field locations really helps to understand our Bay Area environments.

Activity Summary

Each student will take a minimum of one (more than one is encouraged) self- guided field trip. Plan on spending at least three hours out in the field. Appropriate background research is required so that you will understand what you see and are prepared to think critically about it once in the field.

A list of suitable sites are detailed below. These locations provide a meaningful window into the nature, patterns, &/or processes of the Bay Area. The purpose of the field trip is to look for patterns and problems we have discussed in class out in the “real world.” You are free to choose a different field site, but must be approved of by myself.

COVID 19 ADDENDUM: PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE VISITING YOUR SELECTED LOCATION IN PERSON DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO SO! YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO SIMPLY VISIT YOUR SITE VIRTUALLY VIA THEIR WEBSITE OR OTHER DIGITAL RESOURCES. PLEASE DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. IF YOU DO DECIDE TO VISIT YOUR LOCATION IN PERSON PLEASE PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ALL TIMES AND WEAR A MASK!!!

Part I: Pre-Trip Planning

Before you visit a field site, do background research about where you’ll visit so once you’re at the location, you can ask poignant questions, critically think about the processes taking place, and be able to enjoy your field trip on a deeper level.

Part II: Self-Guided Field Trip Report

Your Self-Guided Field Trip report is graded on the following basis:

▪ Original work and appropriate length (minimum of 750 words, 12 point font, double spaced)

▪ Quality of background research (include a References list and cite all sources referenced, minimum number of references is FOUR). Link your background research to what you learned in the field.

▪ Linking observations made at your chosen location to patterns/processes discussed in class. At a minimum, you need to make three connections between topics discussed in class and patterns/processes that you observed on your field trip.

▪ Quality of writing (it should be both engaging and analytical).

GEOG 301: Bay Area Environments Fall 2021

List of Suitable Self-Guided Field Trip Locations

1. Bay Model Visitor Center 2. Presidio of San Francisco 3. Muir Woods National Monument (reservations required, don’t cross that bridge

without ‘em!)

4. Alemany Farm 5. Oceanside Treatment Facility (sewage, nice) 6. Recology Tour (garbage & recycling, yes!) 7. Alcatraz Tour (reservations required + costs some $) 8. Twin Peaks Lookout 9. Land’s End 10. Lake Merritt 11. Marin Headlands 12. Ocean Beach Clean-Up (Check SF Surfrider Foundation’s calendar for dates and times) 13. Salesforce Transit Center (especially the park up top) 14. Oracle Park or Oakland Coliseum Tour

• No, you cannot tour the Warriors big new arena, nor can you go visit Levi’s for this assignment. Ballparks only!!

15. Pt. Reyes National Seashore 16. Big Basin State Park 17. Armstrong Redwoods State Park 18. Cross Marin Trail along Lagunitas Creek 19. Mt. Tamalpais 20. Bolinas Ridge Trail (highly recommended) 21. Pulgas and/or Sunol Water Temple 22. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge 23. Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park 24. Golden Gate Park 25. Mt. Sutro Open Space Reserve 26. Mt. Diablo 27. Samuel P. Taylor State Park 28. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park 29. Crystal Springs Reservoir 30. Fort Funston

GEOG 301: Bay Area Environments Fall 2021

Rubric I. Introduction (4 points)

• Introduce the location you visited & why you chose that location. (2 pts)

• Describe your motivations for visiting this location & explain why this location is important to Bay Area environmental sustainability. (2 pts)

II. Discussion (14 points)

• Briefly describe the location and provide background research. (4 pts)

• Discuss how your location relates to topics discussed in this course (three connections needed at a minimum). (6 pts)

• Relate your background research to your field trip. (4 pts) III. Conclusion (4 points)

• Readdress the overall topic & it’s importance, (2 pts)

• Thoroughly summarize the main points of your field trip and background research, (2 pts)

IV. Mechanics (8 points) • Original work (2 pts)

• Spelling, grammar & punctuation (1 pts)

• References (2 pts)

• Word Count = 750 words (3 pts)

TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE: 30 points