ORIGINAL PLANS FOR PITT-JOHNSTOWN'S CAMPUS, DRAFTED IN THE 1960S.
Click photo to enlarge.
Why so much extra land?
In the introduction of the drafting plans for Pitt-Johnstown, it is stated that the institution's goal was for learning to be done "in an atmosphere of a relaxed urban lifestyle... plac[ing] emphasis on open space, aesthetics, [and] preservation of flora and fauna." But why? According to the plans, the "designation of a permanent wildlife preservation area" was intended for "study in the natural sciences and [for] recreation."
The campus pictured above began as a gift of 136 acres from the Berwind Coal Corporation, but grew to a staggering 710 acres. Of this, some 487 acres, 68% of the land, was to be "left undeveloped, except for hiking trails." Another 347 acres was set aside strictly for nature study.
Little Paint Creek was addressed in the plans as "a very picturesque stream, [and] an asset to the area."
The campus pictured above began as a gift of 136 acres from the Berwind Coal Corporation, but grew to a staggering 710 acres. Of this, some 487 acres, 68% of the land, was to be "left undeveloped, except for hiking trails." Another 347 acres was set aside strictly for nature study.
Little Paint Creek was addressed in the plans as "a very picturesque stream, [and] an asset to the area."
From past to present
Today, the natural areas on campus are open to students, faculty, and community members. From hiking to leisurely walks to mountain biking, there are plenty of ways to interact with the small wilderness roosting on Pitt-Johnstown's campus. However, during the summer plenty of research projects pertain to these areas which remain buried under silent snow for most of the school year.
Out of the SPUR-Biodiversity project this website is born. Our specific goal is to bring together the sciences and humanities, proving just how extensive the worth of this land truly is. From Pitt-Johnstown's conception, the natural areas were meant to be a gift to the natural sciences, but students in the humanities have drawn ideas and inspiration from the land around them, creating beautiful works that make Pitt-Johnstown proud.
We would like to take the time to thank the Alice Waters Thomas Program for funding support, Dr Janet Grady and Dr Patty Derrick for their support on this project, and the students and faculty of Summer 2014 SPUR-Biodiversity for their participation and inspiration.
Out of the SPUR-Biodiversity project this website is born. Our specific goal is to bring together the sciences and humanities, proving just how extensive the worth of this land truly is. From Pitt-Johnstown's conception, the natural areas were meant to be a gift to the natural sciences, but students in the humanities have drawn ideas and inspiration from the land around them, creating beautiful works that make Pitt-Johnstown proud.
We would like to take the time to thank the Alice Waters Thomas Program for funding support, Dr Janet Grady and Dr Patty Derrick for their support on this project, and the students and faculty of Summer 2014 SPUR-Biodiversity for their participation and inspiration.
Hosts.
Marissa Landrigan is an Assistant Professor of English Writing at UPJ, where she teaches courses in Creative Nonfiction and Digital Storytelling, among others. Her essays have appeared in Creative Nonfiction, Guernica, The Rumpus, Gulf Coast, Diagram, South Loop Review, and elsewhere, and her agent is currently shopping her first book, a food memoir titled The Vegetarian's Guide to Eating Meat.
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