Project Summary

This service-learning project focused on the process from forest to furniture, for education and further learning. It also aimed to establish a teaching tool for future programs and classes in ENVS/NR, and initiate possible long-term projects. The students involved documented the felling of the ash tree and black cherry tree that were being used for the construction of the table and bowls. This project hoped to promote social capital and create connections between students, the land, and community-based activities and to foster a greater awareness of sustainable consumerism and locally constructed products.

This project was set up with the help of David Brynn and Walter Poleman. Students from Walter Poleman’s Ecological Literacy and Sense of Place class took part in this project. Their mission was to foster a tangible connection between UVM students and the surrounding landscape through the creation of locally produced wood products. They aimed to make a connection with ecological literacy and a sense of place through; The Green Forestry Initiative at Jericho, Vermont Communities, Timber and products from the Vermont landscape by Vermont woodworkers, The GreenHouse, and Service-Learning in the local community.

 

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Goals

• To document the felling of the ash tree and black cherry tree that are being used for the construction of the table and bowls
• To document the process from forest to furniture, for education and further learning
• To establish a teaching tool for future programs and classes in ENVS/NR, and initiate possible long term projects
• To promote social capital and create connections between students, the land, and community-based activities
• To foster a greater awareness of sustainable consumerism and locally-constructed products

 

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Strategies

• Felling the ash and white pine with Paul Cate
• Milling the ash and white pine with Leo Boutin
• Community demonstration of bowl turning with Ralph Tursini
• Workshops: teaching students bowl turning with Ralph Tursini
• Construction of a Harvest Table for the GreenHouse Dorm at UVM
• The story of the ash and the process to construct the table
• Continuing the Humble Bowl Project for future students

 

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Measurements of Success

• Turned Three Humble Bowls from a green Black Cherry Tree
• Started the process for a 16 foot Ash and White Pine Harvest Table for UVM’s GreenHouse Dorm
• Began the Humble Bowl Project which hopes to involve future UVM students to come out to Jericho and turn their own Humble Bowls
• The relationship between UVM students and local Vermont woodworkers

 

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Photos

Ash tree felling

Black Cherry tree felling

Bowl turning

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Student Profiles

Pete Brewster
Forestry Major
Second Year

Elizabeth Oliver
Women’s & Gender Studies Major
Third Year

Nate Koeppel
Environmental Studies Major
Fourth Year

Tori Jones
Environmental Studies Major
Third Year