Global Alternative Break Trip To Dominic Republic

From May 20 to 28, 2024, I was fortunate to take part in a Global Immersion Trip to Las Galeras in the Dominican Republic. This incredible journey, organized by VT Engage alongside the Community Service Alliance, combined service, learning, and cultural immersion to create a truly meaningful experience for all of us. Our small group of five students worked closely with local schools, leading workshops for high schoolers on building resumes, honing interview skills, and using social media responsibly. We also spent time with elementary students, teaching them the importance of proper handwashing, personal hygiene, and keeping their environment clean to prevent mosquito breeding. One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was volunteering to help build a new kitchen for a high school. By pitching in, we helped reduce labor costs, speed up the construction, and provide a safer, more efficient space for preparing meals that benefit so many students. This trip was not just about giving back — it was an opportunity to connect deeply with the community and gain insights that will stay with me forever. Below are some pictures:

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Dendrology of the Blacksburg Stroubles Creek Watershed

By Emmanuel Edusei The dendrology of the Stroubles Creek Watershed is a living archive of Blacksburg's geological and cultural history. Nestled within the rolling landscape of the New River Valley, this watershed shelters a diverse array of native hardwoods, resilient evergreens, and understory species that together weave a vibrant, seasonal tapestry. Each species plays a crucial role, not only in shading and stabilizing the streambanks but also in sustaining wildlife, filtering water, and shaping the local landscape's character. Stroubles Creek’s dendrology invites wanderers and learners to its embrace: a place where ecological stewardship restores balance, and every leaf is a living testament to the connection between land, water, and community. To walk among the trees of Stroubles Creek is to witness a quiet dialogue between land and water, roots and soil, human presence and the persistence of nature. Here, dendrology is not just the study of trees; it is a way of listening...

Mapping and Delineating the Stroubles Creek Watershed

Stroubles Creek originates from natural springs in Blacksburg and descends to its mouth at the New River with a final elevation of about 1,700 feet (520 meters) above sea level. It is a subwatershed of the New River watershed. It features the Virginia Tech Duck Pond, a famous local landmark and ecological feature that acts as a division between the upper and lower watersheds. Most sections of the Stroubles Creek are “out of sight, out of mind” for many local residents, as the stream was buried near the War Memorial Gym and under Virginia Tech’s Drillfield in about 1937 (Ling 2017). The creek has been designated as "impaired" since 2002 due to historical impacts from urbanization, excessive sedimentation, and agricultural activities (Ling 2017). Below is a PowerPoint presentation with more information on Mapping and Delineating the Stroubles Creek Watershed. This is an embedded Microsoft Office presentation, powered by Office . Thank you for reading this post. Let m...

An Overview of the StREAM Lab at Virginia Tech

The StREAM Lab and Stroubles Creek References - StREAMS Lab Project Videos StREAM Lab on Youtube Restoration Project Lab and Ongoing Research Environmental Monitor Articles Climate and Water Monitoring Articles

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