Recently, my Ponds to Particles science class took it upon ourselves to conduct a relatively thorough cleanup of Peacock Pond. Our goal was to clean out waste, raise awareness, and restore the ecosystem to its natural equilibrium. Expecting to find mostly plastic and glass products, I was shocked to find that upwards of 166 pieces of food waste were recovered in less than two hours (and believe me, we could have found more). This food waste consisted primarily of fruits that appeared to have been attained by students from Chase and Emerson dining halls. My first inquiry was what was the reason students were throwing food into the pond, and what kind of effect would it have on the delicate ecosystem?
While waist deep in the murky waters of Peacock Pond with fellow students and President Hanno, it was brought up that a certain team (that will remain unnamed) had a hazing ritual involving freshman throwing oranges across the pond, and when the fruit inevitably couldn't make it to the opposite bank, the freshman would have to swim across the pond. Other stories such as fruit-throwing challenges, acts of boredom, and disposal of unwanted food waste were all shared, and I came to the conclusion that people were not viewing the fruit as food, but as a means of entertainment. Surprisingly, only a small portion of people admitted to using the pond as a place to dump trash, but rather indicated that they had thrown trash in for sport. Therefore, in the context of Peacock Pond, food no longer holds value as a means of nutrition, but becomes a game.
Unfortunately for the plants and animals living in the pond, that fruit is neither a means of nutrition, nor a means of entertainment. Little do the students of Wheaton College know, those rotting fruits create a surplus of bacteria and acidity in the water. In the context of animal life, those fruits are detrimental to their environment. This just demonstrates a reoccurring theme in Feast or Famine and the field of anthropology, that context can change the meaning of an object. In the context of Chase or Emerson an orange is sustenance, in the context of Peacock Pond oranges are toys, and in the context of the biodiversity living in the pond oranges are poison. These acts also demonstrates to the larger community that Wheaton Students are not concerned about food conservation, the ponds ecosystem, or the aesthetics of their home. Food should remain in the context of production, distribution and consumption.
I can remember every time I walk over the bridge to chase and look at the section of Peacock closest to the road I see more oranges then open water. I have never seen some one toss an orange in the pond so it escapes me how there are that many in the pond. But, I definitely think Wheatons community has a huge effect on the pond. It always disturbs me seeing so much trash in the pond. Bottles, cans, and traffic cones are a disturbing introduction to this environment that I see too often. Also eutrophication from all of the fertilizer used on the grass effects the pond possibly being the cause of the algae blooms that take over the pond. It seems the only patch of grass that is always green is chapel field right next to the pond. I am happy to see that people are taking notice and doing what they can to clean up and make wheaton a better place.
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