It was a beautiful morning for a “Weed Wrangle” with the Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management & Marshall County Soil & Water! Participants last Saturday learned about invasive species & their management, as well as local & regional opportunities to engage in control efforts. Oak saplings were distributed by SWCD.
After a brief gathering, we hit the trails to uproot the Garlic Mustard and Bush Honeysuckle that have encroached on the area. Several native woodland species were observed, including Downy Rattlesnake Plantain & Pale Corydalis.
Some “wild” cows also made a brief but exciting appearance, but we weren’t fast enough to get a video!
The Wrangle was held at Marshall County Memorial Forest (at SR-17 & 14th Rd). Indiana’s first county forest, it was developed in the 1940’s as a living tribute to the veterans of WW2. Last year, it was put under the stewardship of the Marshall County Parks & Recreation Department.
The mountain bike trail is coming right along. The trail committee has been AMAZING! With an all-volunteer board with no budget (yet), this would not be happening without dedicated volunteers willing to put in time and effort to make it happen. This has to be one of the most unambiguously positive things I’ve ever been involved in the county! Most projects can’t be expected to go this smoothly, but I’ll sure take it when it happens.
To stay up to date, follow The Trails at Mill Pond on Facebook. We are shooting for a soft open next month!
Monday, we came together for a quick spring clean-up blitz at a pollinator patch downtown. This was in coordination with clean-up efforts across the county. Thank you to Marshall County Soil & Water Conservation District and all the other partners who brought this to fruition and are carrying through with maintenance!
Love this post and LOVE how you teach your kids love of nature. I’m going to have to get involved in at least walking and enjoying these treasures when I get back to Indiana.
Can’t wait to have you back, hermana!
These pictures are worth a thousand words but of course the story that goes with them is so welcome. Also, congratulations, Adam, for your award and making the front page of the Pilot. Well-deserved. Am proud of you.
Thanks Sr. Linda. It’s a pleasure.