Why I chose an in-depth study of the Mainside section of Marine Corps Base Quantico

Tentatively my study area is a section of Marine Corps Base Quantico, where I currently work. I originally wanted to do an area that wasn’t at my workplace, but I think this is a nice balance of an area of the base I’m unfamiliar with overall. Quantico is just under 60,000 acres. The section of base that I am planning to work with is a highly developed area, both with housing and workplace environments, and is approximately 5000 acres. This area of the base has numerous invasive species that we have documented (silk tree, Japanese knotweed, bamboo, phragmites), some of which we have removed. I plan to continue invasive species removal in the area. I do not have any experience in the following areas, but I’d be curious to learn more about them – stream restoration and pollinator habitat. There are multiple stream beds in this area and many of them are severely eroded – down to the bedrock. As for pollinators, there is an area on base that could be turned into a nature trail with pollinator gardens. The gardens would ideally include a walking path for local homeowners to walk along, but funding may become an issue there.
I’m really intrigued about doing this because it is an area that I can virtually walk almost every foot of. Throughout the course of this semester, so long as I’m consistent with it and purposeful with my intentions, I think I could really gain insight and knowledge of this section of base.