Cockeysville, MD

Map of Cockeysville, MD

       The population of Cockeysville, MD is approximately 20,000; it is somewhat densely populated. There are many businesses located in Cockeysville and in areas surrounding it. The various industries include the quarry (where limestone is "mined"), McCormick Food Spice Factory, AAI (a company that manufactures supplies for the U.S. Army), fast food companies, the local dump, nearby cities, schools, trains, highways, etc.

The Cockeysville Quarry

Dear County Executive Kevin Kamenetz,

       We're are concerned about the environmental cleanliness of Cockeysville, MD. There are so many industries that negatively impact our town and the environment surrounding it. Such pollutants originate from businesses such as the Cockeysville quarry, McCormick Food Spice Factory, AAI, etc. Pollutants also originate from "pedestrian-pollution," such as litter, gas exhaust, cigarette smoke, and many other forms of unnecessary and preventable pollution.
        Though the companies we mentioned before help our economic situation by providing jobs and products commonly used in our society, they can create harmful runoff that can affect our environment. Let's begin by discussing the harmful pollutants that come from the quarry.  Limestone is one of the main elements mined in the quarry. Particles of limestone are airbourne, and make their way into different waterways while Calcium Carbonate, the neutralizing element found in limestone, can make acidic water more pure, though not likely. These particles are even found crusted in the windowsills of nearby buildings, including schools. They can also affect aquatic animals.
         The next large source of pollutants is the local dump. Think about all of the things we throw out each day. Harmful elements from plastics and other toxins can get into our waterways, killing animals, plants, etc. Gases from AAI and McCormick Food Spice Factory also affect the purity of waterways that lead to the Chesapeake Bay.
          We encourage you to create regulations for the companies mentioned that protect our environment. While this task will not be easy, it must be done in order to protect our town's future. Here are some examples of what you can suggest to each company. For the quarry, suggest that they limit their use of explosives to excavate limestone to reduce airbourne particles. For McCormick's and AAI, suggest they use more earth-friendly and "green" gases, rather than ones that are potentially harmful. Also, for the dump, encourage more recycling, and try to remove as much recyclable waste as possible from the trash piles.
          We hope that the actions you take benefit everyone in the Cockeysville area! Thank you for helping our environment, and taking the time to read this letter!

Sincerely,
       Siena, Mary Claire, and Maddie  

Sources:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Cockeysville-Maryland.html

www.bestplaces.net

http://sunderwoodphoto.wordpress.com/2009/03/15/industrial-night-photography/

http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/

http://www.phadjustment.com/Limestone.htm

Jane Goodall: Her Life With Chimps

       Jane Goodall, a British primatologist, is most famous for her studies of the chimpanzee. She was born on April 3, 1934,  in London, England. She had two younger sisters. Her mother, Vanna (Joseph) Morris-Goodall, inspired her love of animals and nature. She aspired to move to Africa after she graduated from high school. She worked many jobs in order to fund her first trip to Africa.



Jane Goodall as a Young Primatologist

       When she went to Mombasa, she met  Louis Leakey, an anthropologist. He eventually became her mentor.  He wanted Jane to study primates, similar to humans, in order to further support several of his theories.  He chose her to do this work, rather  than choosing a man, because he thought she was patient and intelligent enough for the large task. He also chose her because she was not highly trained in the area, therefore she could write down what she was honestly viewing, and not what she thought might be happening. Goodall began observing primates at the Gombe National Park in Southeast Africa. She ended up studying primates for over twenty years. 

       Although she didn’t receive an undergraduate degree, she graduated from Cambridge University in 1965 with a doctorate degree—a rare feat.  

       

       In her early days of exploring, Jane explored the forests and observed the chimpanzees for many hours. She eventually gained their trust and could get as close as sitting next to them. She changed many peoples perspective on the chimps. Most researchers at that time thought chimps were aggressive. Jane Goodall helped them to discover that chimps were not only loving, but incredibly intelligent as well. 

       Her work was published in National Geographic, which helped her gain publicity. Through her years of study, she watched the population of chimpanzees seriously decrease. She also watched a four year war between two groups of chimpanzees. She used her fame to encourage people to stop using chimpanzees in medical studies. The video below is a summary of her work in Tanzania. 

        

      Today Jane continues her work with chimps, by promoting people to support the endangered wildlife. She created the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education, and Conservation. Visit her site, www.janegoodall.org to learn more.  

Sources

1. http://www.notablebiographies.com/Gi-He/Goodall-Jane.html

2. http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/janegoodall.html

3. http://i.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/10q_jane_goodall/10q_jane_goodall_01.jpg

4. http://www.janegoodall.org/leadership-team

5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkioNckjYrk&feature=related

6. http://www.buffaloreuse.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/goodall.jpg