During science camp, I went on a hike called the solo hike.
The kids needed to go on a hike trail by themselves between 3 minute intervals.
During my hike, I concentrated on the repeating sound of bird and the
occasional squirrel skittering across my path.
That hike was one of my closest encounters with nature. IN
the middle of the hike, I took out my water bottle and took a sip of water from
the Tuolumne River. The Tuolumne River is the source of my water suplly as well
as my friends’ and neighbors’. Other than humans, many other animals need it
too. Some of these animals are: the Foothill Yellow Legged Frog, Mt. Lyell
Salamander, Chinook Salmon, and the River Otter. The Tuolumne River starts in
Mt. Lyell and flows through Yosemite National Park. It goes into the San
Joaquin River, which flows into the San Francisco Bay.
Water is a very essential resource. Not only us humans need
it, but plants and animals need it too. Without water, almost every living
thing on Earth would die off and become extinct. Our bodies are made up of 70%
of water! Over three fourths of the Earth is covered with water, but only one
percent of that is drinkable. Most of that one perfect is stuck in glaciers,
where we can’t get it. That leaves only less than one percent of water on Earth
that is drinkable.
Despite all these limitations, there are myriads of ways to
conserve water. Taking short showers are one way. Using low flow toilets don’t
use as much water that use up to five gallons per flush. Watering plants in the
early morning allows the water to not evaporate as quickly. Fixing leaks saves
thousands of gallons of water from washing away wastefully. Overall, water is a
very important resource and should be used correctly and carefully.
