Work & Play Days on the Land

Despite the summer’s heat, we’ve had 5 Work/Play days this summer. We have been successful in choosing the least hot days and had the additional cooling benefit of working in the forest and cooling off in the creek. We provided tools – pruners, loppers, shovels, and saws plus hand tools for disassembling the deer stands – and volunteers brought work gloves. Lunch breaks along (and in) the Creek were divine, and the short exploratory hikes into the woods after the day’s work were icing on the cake. We were all diligent about safety and checking for ticks. Happy to report that we found very few ticks!

Here are some of the tasks we are working on:

• Path maintenance (keeping the paths passable by clipping back overgrowth)

• Removal of deer stands (many of these are in disrepair and are a safety issue)

• Keeping the areas around the two sheds free of overgrowth and the roofs free of debris.

• Removal of non-native invasive plants, especially along the paths (Barberry & Autumn Olive shrubs).

• Clearing the concrete floor of a former shed. (all that remains is a foundation and floor)

So far, we have revived the walkability of an old path along the western boundary of our land; cleared the concrete pad of debris, weeds, and trash so it is now usable no longer an eyesore; pulled countless non-native invasive plants, including thorny Japanese Barberry and Autumn Olive, Privet, and Oriental Bittersweet carving inroads into these invasive thickets.

Of course, there is so much more to do. But this is an ongoing, lifetime-land caring project. With time and dedication, and helping hands, we are making a difference. We will be doing more of these work/play days and hope you can find time to join us and bring a friend.