West Seattle schools: Taproot students’ study picks up where others … didn’t pick up

| Environment | Fauntleroy | Pets | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Michelle Taylor: Taproot students attend to a bag dispenser in Fauntleroy Park)

What Fauntleroy Creek/Watershed volunteers did in 2004 and 2008, students from Taproot School are doing now, according to watershed/creek steward Judy Pickens:

Continuing concern about pet waste left in Fauntleroy Park prompted students at Taproot School to take on the 2016 Poop Study.

The study documents the number and location of pet waste along a segment of trail in Fauntleroy Park that’s popular with dog walkers. After a baseline count earlier this spring, the students are reaching out to dog owners with information about why picking up after their pet is important and making compliance easy with free bags.

Located in the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse Community Center, Taproot School makes almost daily use of the park as an extension of classroom learning for its 27 (K-5) students. Run in 2004 and again in 2008, the study initiated by the Fauntleroy Watershed Council aims to reduce the level of fecal coliform bacteria that Fauntleroy Creek conveys into Puget Sound.

Students will do a second count in July and a third in September, then compile their report, with an emphasis on what more they recommend doing to get dog walkers to scoop.

Kate June 6, 2016 (5:42 pm)

Good going kids! I walk my dog through the park every afternoon. I am continually astounded at the amount of poop on the side of the trail. And since, unfortunately, I have a dog with a taste for that stuff, I am often reaching into his mouth to pull it out. Just this afternoon I was thinking that I need to find another afternoon route. The park is getting too gross.

People, pick up after your dogs!! You know when they’re pooping, it’s not subtle. You’re making a deliberate choice by not picking it up. It’s bad for the environment, it’s a nuisance, and I’d really rather it wasn’t around for my dog to eat. These kids know better than a lot of grown ups, unfortunately. Hopefully they’ll remember when they’re dog owners.

MsD June 6, 2016 (6:11 pm)

It absolutely disgusts me to see these kids cleaning up after ADULTS who won’t take responsibility for cleaning up after their pets. Probably the same people who don’t teach their kids that it’s not OK to throw their Big Gulp cups and candy wrappers on the ground wherever they happen to finish them.

Kayo June 7, 2016 (7:42 am)

As a responsible dog owner who always scoops I am really bummed out that others do not do the same – especially when there is a clear harm to the ecosystem (not to mention it’s just rude and gross). I also find poop all over the place on my walks in our local green spaces (and even pick it up myself at times). Great job for studying and shining a light on this problem Taproot kids! I hope your efforts change some behaviors around this issue.

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