We are making a dent

From the start of project, Sarah has been telling us that our main task would be to take out all of the yellow flag irises, an invasive species that if left unattended will in fact take over the entire marsh at the nature center. Yesterday Eric, Emily, Chris, and I were sent out in to the marsh to do the initial reconnaissance for the greater mission. However, after an hour or two of backbreaking work, it was hard to see that we were making any sort of progress in accomplishing out mission. So our crew resorted to general weeding in the gardens in the parking lot of the nature center.


Thank goodness, today we got some great backup. An environmental studies class from Laurel School came in to help us out with the infamous yellow flag irises. From their (somewhat late) arrival at 9:34 to their departure after lunch, the laurel school girls and their spectacularly entertaining teacher Dr. Smith were hard at work. They jumped right into their marsh boots with shovels and spades in hand, and ran right into the mucky muck of the marsh. Starting from the southern end of the marsh nearest the nature center, and working outwards, WE CLEARED ABOUT HALF OF THE ENTIRE MARSH! we used about 50 trash bags to accomplish the job. we were a well oiled machine!! the majority of the laurel girls would dig up the irises from the marsh, and then the senior project students would do the leg work carrying the trash bags to the wagons and we also lugged the wagons back to the trash can. it was great to have this instant gratification, and know that we truly made an impact on the invasive species of teh nature center today!