Congaree National Park
Cape Hatteras National Seashore-Fort Raleigh
Our third hitch was at Fort Raleigh near Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Fort Raleigh is located on Roanoke Island, the site of the lost English Colony and the birthplace of the first English child in the US. At Fort Raleigh we treated invasive English Ivy and Wisteria that were threatening the historic sites natural areas. We also visited Cape Hatterous to see a invasive giant reed site that treated by the previsous traveling crew and scooted for the rare plant yuca glorioso.
Congaree National Park
When we are not traveling, our crew is here at Congaree. We have treated a Wisteria, an invasive plant that first planted as a popular porch vine. The park recently discovered the large Wisteria infestation along an old hunt club road. We have treated the Japanese Stilt Grass that grows along several of the parks trail. Our finial project here is to help restore the longleaf pine forest that used to be numerous in the South East. Now stretches of tall long leaf pines with a clear understory are rare. Congaree is working to expand its long leaf pine forest and create a habitat for the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker.
Congaree Campfire Chronicals
Campfire Chronicles was a large outreach event here at Congaree National Park. Each Campfire site represented a time in the parks history, from Pre-Columbian Native American settlement to present day. Volunteers severed as historical re-enactors for each site. Bridget served as an historical re-enactor at the 70's site. Campfire Chronicles included other events, such as a fishing station were Jon taught kids how to cast, an arts and crafts station and a rare sighting of the Ivory Billed woodpecker courtesy of Mikana. Lan got plently of practice starting campfires and helping kids roast marshmellows.
Chattahootic National Recreation Area
Chattahootic River National Recreation Area was our second hitch. Chattahootic is a river that cuts through Atlanta, the recreation area preserves green space around the river providing a place for Alanta residents to hike, fish and go boating. One of Chattahootic's patches was infested by a monster cluster of Kudzu. We spent out hitch treating Kudzu by cutting the vines with loppers, machetes and brush cutters. We then treated the ground cover and the stumps of the veins with herbicide. Chattahootic was a lot of hard work for us, but we were glad to have a chance to tackle the worst invasive plant species in the South East.
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island National Seashore was our crew’s first hitch. Cumberland is a barrier island in the Atlantic off the coast of southern Georgia. It is an island rich in history, and populated by a large herd of wild horses. Cumberland includes a Maritime Forest, dunes and salt water marches. We treated Tongue Oil Tree, Bamboo, Acacia and Coffee weed. After a long days work we enjoyed Cumberland’s beaches and wild life.
Site Overview
Congaree National Park is located in central South Carolina outside of Columbia, the state's capital. Congaree National Park preserves the largest area of old growth floodplain forest in the US. The seasonal flooding of the Congaree River, combined with undisturbed forest creates a unique ecosystem of champion tress, diverse flora and wild life. In the uplands, large pine trees dominate the ecosystem. Congaree is often call the "redwoods of the east" because it is home to astonishingly large trees. The largest tree in the park is a 16 storey Lobloly Pine Tree. In low lying areas Cyprees tress with sprawling large knees create a landscape for turtles, river otters, and fishing spiders. Are crew is stationed at Congaree, we received our training from Congaree's staff and live in park housing when were not traveling to other sites in the South East. Congaree is a great home base.
Project Leader Bio
Hello. My name is Bridget and I am the Project Leader for the Native Plant Corps at Conagree. I was introduced to conservation in high school through the Chicago Zoological Societies Youth Volunteer corps. I graduated from Illinois State with a B.S in Political Science and Environmental Studies. I worked on a Congressional campaign for a while before returning to my conversationalist roots. I was previously a SCA Community Crew leader in Chicago. I am now eager to be working at Conagree.
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