|
|
 |
|
|
Ryan Tonk’s Diary
Mountain Waters of the Czech Republic
« Back to all Posts
Friday, May 8, 2009
It has been seven weeks since I received the notice that I was selected as an
Earthwatch fellow. I was very excited about this opportunity and immediately
began researching the project and the Czech Republic. Reviewing the diaries of
past fellows was very informative, too.
When I got the notification, I
began the process of getting the airfare purchased, renewing my passport, and
completing the required forms. During this hectic time, I lost track in my mind
of my departure date. I looked at the calendar today and saw that I leave in
exactly three weeks. This has brought the excitement right back to the high
level that I felt when I was notified.
I am definitely going to spend
the next three weeks obtaining as much information as I can about the project
and the history of the Czech Republic and the local area that I will be
visiting. From the information that I have gathered so far, I will be studying
the effects of acid rain on the Jizera Mountain waters. The Earthwatch team has
been attempting to clean the area and remove the acid rain pollution. We will be
studying the success rate of those efforts.
I have been with Alcoa for
roughly eight years as a product engineer. My division of Alcoa is within the
Power and Propulsion unit, and we produce castings for turbine engines,
including vanes and structural components.
I live in Michigan City,
Indiana, on the southern tip of Lake Michigan. The lake and dune area contain a
vast variety of plants and animals, and the area was studied by Henry Cowles,
who is considered to be the father of ecology. The area’s fragile balance
between natural land, industry, and residential housing is what has created an
environmental awareness and stewardship within me.
|
|
|
|
