<p>
	Earlier, in the summer of 2016, summer researchers were active in their field work for the Reforestation Management study of abandoned oil pads with the Au Sable Institute (ASI). It became evident that off-road vehicles were driving through the designated study area and if not remedied, vehicles driving through the patch of land being studied would damage the young trees that were planted&nbsp;and compromise the results of the research. In November, the Au Sable Institute had white pine stump barricades placed around this abandoned oil pad to protect the Reforestation Management study.</p>
<p>
	With the help of Arbor Resources of Traverse City, paths through the surrounding forest leading to the research site&nbsp;were blocked with large stump barricades to deter motorized vehicles from entering the site. Jimmy Eichstadt of Arbor Resources has homeschooled children who have visited the Au Sable Institute for its Environmental Education program. In support of his children&rsquo;s education, Jimmy is involved with the Traverse City Bulldogs, a Christian homeschool athletic association. The Traverse City Bulldog Athletic Association is in the midst of building new soccer fields for the Bulldogs, and while clearing sites for the fields they gained an excess of white pine stumps from the property that needed a home. Perfectly timed to meet the barricade needs of Au Sable&rsquo;s research program, Jimmy was able to relocate the stumps to the oil pad research site.</p>
<p>
	With land donated to the homeschool association for the proposed TC Bulldog athletic facility, the TC Bulldogs begin a fundraising campaign with the goal of starting construction in the spring of 2017. Arbor Resources is donating the payment received from ASI for the barricades to the TC Bulldogs building campaign. This, alongside contributions from American Waste and Excel Site Rentals of Kalkaska, kicks off the campaign to support athletics through a new facility for the homeschool community in the five-county area.</p>
<p>
	To learn more about the Traverse City Bulldogs and their building project visit <a href="http://www.tcbaa.org/index.php">http://www.tcbaa.org/index.php</a> or write to&nbsp; <a href="mailto:tcbaanews@charter.net">tcbaanews@charter.net</a>.</p>
<p>
	Learn more about Au Sable&rsquo;s research here: <a href="{filedir_11}research/">{filedir_11}research/</a></p>
