Soil Tunnel: A Portable, Interactive, Conservation Education Tool Presented by: Dale Ledden District Supervisor, Gloucester County Soil Conservation District, Sewell, New Jersey; Committee Chairman, State of New Jersey Soil Tunnel Committee

A Collaborative of the New Jersey Conservation Partnership Partners are: New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts United States Department of Agriculture- Natural Resources Conservation Service New Jersey Department of Agriculture, State Soil Conservation Committee

Funding for Project NRCS provided a grant to help fund the development of the inflatable soil tunnel unit. This was part of a larger overall initiative to expand conservation education in New Jersey. The NJACD is developing a comprehensive K-12 soil conservation curriculum.

Funding A grant was provided by USDA-NRCS (New Jersey) for a significant portion of the project. Remaining funds were provided by New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts.

Why an Inflatable Unit? We have chosen an Inflatable Soil Tunnel unit because: ~ Easy to transport ~ Requires little to no maintenance ~ Requires minimal storage space ~ Allows you to have a large display, the tunnel inflates to 16’x16’ wide and 12’ high Plus, inflatables bring out the “kid” in almost everyone!

The Challenges of Creating an Inflatable Soil Tunnel Unit Finding a manufacturer to create a tailor-made unit Finding a graphic artist Funding Developing an appropriate design

Manufacturer Our tunnel design was going to be unique; had to find a manufacturer that could effectively create an original structure Able to work within the budgetary constraints designated for the project Be able to convey the detailed information into graphical form.

Graphic Artist Because of budgetary constraints, we looked into using a college student interested in obtaining credits and increasing portfolio experience for this project. The graphic artist, Miryan Iliev, had to work with a large group on the committee who had different ideas for the design.

Designing the Inflatable Unit Due to size and limitations from manufacturer, all graphic artwork was created on nylon panels and sewn into the unit for optimal visibility and quality.

Contents of Inflatable Unit The tree trunk was designed to give the appearance that visitors are entering “underground”. Opening was made large enough for handicap accessibility. Fan was placed on the right side in the back of the unit because limited traffic would be at that part of the unit. A space on the right side of the unit is available for a District or organization to place their own banner using double sided Velcro.

Entering the Tunnel The inside was enlarged to give the feeling that visitors have been reduced in size (think of the movie “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”) The interior of the tunnel was designed to illustrate: What lives in the soil Evidence found in the soil representing past civilizations and prehistoric life

What Lives in the Soil Penny was placed in the panel to provide a scale in size Other images were selected to give a 3-D appearance Magnifying glass demonstrates magnification of organisms

Past Civilizations, Prehistoric Life, and Human Activity Dinosaur skull provides dramatic effect Pottery and arrowhead represents past civilizations Trash represents negative human influence

Exterior of Tunnel One panel illustrates the functions of soil: -Medium for plant growth -Recycling nutrients and organic material -Habitat for soil organisms -System for water supply and purification -Engineering medium

Exterior of Tunnel Wetland Soil Forest Soil Agricultural Soil Urban Soil One Panel Illustrates Various Soil Profiles:

Wetlands Soil Profile This panel illustrates how groundwater can influence soil usage, and the importance of maintaining healthy hydric soil ecosystems.

Forest Soil Profile This panel shows how healthy soil is an important component of the forest ecosystem, and helps manage storm water runoff and improves water quality.

Agriculture This panel illustrates how conservation practices can have a positive effect on improving soil health and soil quality.

Urban Profile This panel demonstrates how human activity can sometimes result in the soil’s ability to perform critical functions.

Supplemental Information A booklet was designed to provide supplemental information about the soil tunnel unit for distribution at events. The booklet contains information about conservation practices, and more detailed information about each panel. The booklet is meant to go hand in hand with the unit.

Legal Notice The Soil Tunnel, its artwork, and its accompanying explanatory/educational materials are the exclusive property of the New Jersey Association of conservation Districts (NJACD). No use may be made of the artwork, or explanatory materials without the express written permission of the NJACD. Any use, including but not limited to the copying of materials, the use of artwork, or similar use, without the express written permission of the NJACD shall be subject to the penalty provisions of state and federal law.

Legal Notice The NJACD will liberally grant a license to non- profit and educational institutions for the use of the education materials developed in connection with the soil tunnel. Further, State Associations of Conservation Districts or individual Conservation Districts may arrange through the NJACD to purchase replicas of the Soil Tunnel Unit. Any use of the Soil Tunnel, its replicas or the educational materials relative to the Soil Tunnel shall acknowledge that the materials were developed by the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts.

Credits Special thanks to the New Jersey team members involved in making the inflatable soil tunnel unit a reality: Barbara Rosko, President of the NJ Association of Conservation Districts Committee Chair: Dale Ledden, Gloucester County Soil Conservation District Committee Members: Rich Belcher, New Jersey Department of Agriculture Christina Christine, Gloucester County Soil Conservation District Heather McNeil-Nazareth, Mercer Soil Conservation District Barbara Phillips, USDA- NRCS David Reilly, Cape Atlantic Conservation District Fred Schoenagel, USDA-NRCS Ernie Thurlow, Somerset-Union Conservation District Barbara Urcinas, Hunterdon Soil Conservation District Graphic Designer: Miryan Iliev

Ordering If you are interested in purchasing this unit: Price: $8, (subject to change) Please contact the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts, C/O: Richard Belcher, New Jersey Department of Agriculture,(609) , Order forms are available at display, and on the website: A copy of the this Powerpoint Presentation is also available on the website.