|
Students Enjoy the Bio-Ethics of Bailey Mountain Bailout
by Richard Carrington
A wealth of critters in our backyard
|
Mars Hill Elementary fifth-graders had a chance to experience Bailey Mountain when the Mars Hill College Biology Club took the youths up the mountain on April 24th.
Four students from an ethics class taught by professors Kathy Meacham and Jo Ann Croom participated in the journey as well.
"This is one of the few places in the area where you can come and hear the sounds of nature," said Lee Hoffman, parent of a Mars Hill elementary student.
In 1998 the serenity of Bailey mountain was threatened by development but was saved at the last minute when Hoffman's family raised money to buy the land so it would remain a public park. They continue to worry about the future of Mars Hill's main landmark. About $60,000 remains to pay on the mortgage, according to Hoffman's mother Jeanne. She is a member of the Mars Hill College Advisory Board and widow of Richard Hoffman, who served Mars Hill College for 35 years and when he died in 1994 was assistant to president Fred Bentley.
Despite a little bit of rain, the fifth-graders had a great time on the mountain. The biology club instructed the children on how to test the ph level of a creek. The children also got to find wildlife in the creek and look at their finds under a magnifying glass.
"I had lots of fun," said Devin, one of the fifth-graders. "I got pretty dirty, but I caught a huge crawdad!"
Hannah, another one of the fifth-graders, mentioned that she caught three salamanders. Experiences like these might be a thing of the past if major development occurs on Bailey Mountain. This ethical issue is the reason for the participation by the students of Meacham and Croom.
Kathy Meacham's ethics class presented their analysis of Bailey Mountain issues on May 6th. During the presentation, the students discussed possible solutions, which include fund raising for the Hoffman Foundation. The Hoffman Foundation itself will hold a Bailey Mountain benefit flea market and auction in Mars Hill June 6 - 7.
Click for photo gallery
HOME
| 
