5. Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, TX

 

October 2, 2023

Today for class we all gathered at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is located beside Lake Worth that boasts over 2,000 acres of protected wildlife area and forest. The refuge boasts prairies and forests, bison and alligators, and the native flora and fauna of the North Texas landscape. The area that our class was placed at was along the side of the road with a view of some of the forested land. Trees covered the ground for as far as the eye can see, and provided much needed shade from the 90 degree day. What covered the ground was also the main reason we were there: privet created a dense wall along the road. Privet is an invasive species to the region. It crowds out the native trees and brush killing the native species. The privet covers the ground and dead branches and logs are scattered about. Our job as a class was simple--cut out the privet. To prevent the privet from spreading, as it grows back fast, we were tasked with removing as much of it as possible and throwing it into the wood chipper. In the heat of the Texas sun, sixteen of us labored, tracking through the sticks and picking up everything in sight. The wood chipper roared and shredded everything that went through it blades, sending it shooting out the side, covering the F-150 and ground with sawdust. About halfway through our hour and a half time slot, the wood chipper breathed its last breath and gave out. With machinery no longer on our side we took to handsaws and loppers to cut down the privet. We stacked the dead trees and sticks and privet along the side of the road ready to be shredded when the machine was fixed. The handsaws and loppers proved strenuous, my arms and shoulder sore from the repetitive movement. After calling it a day we hopped in the back of the pick-up truck and started to head towards our starting point. As we drove along the gravel road, the end of the wood chipper struck a tree and the tree fell in slow motion on the twelve of us riding in the pick up truck's bed. No one was injured, thankfully, just in shock. Many of us laughed awkwardly at what had happened. As we drove away, I glanced at our progress. In the past two weeks we had cleared probably over one-hundred yards of privet. It was encouraging to see what our teamwork had accomplished. It was encouraging to see the good work we had done for the local ecosystem by removing the invasive plant. While this time was not a relaxing afternoon out in nature, it was enjoyable to be outside breathing in the fresh air (and sawdust) and trying to make a difference in the local habitat. Perhaps I should venture out into the wilderness more seeking of ways I can give back to the local environment rather than simply taking in its beauty and peace.