Thank you very mulch

A quick recap of what the Dallas Commuter Crews did this summer

by Dana Ecelberger, Texas Program Manager 

Crews worked in three sites:

• This was the second year at Heard Nature Preserve and both crews worked for two weeks. Over 550 yards of new trail were put in and graveled. A bog boardwalk was assembled and installed. A picnic area was mulched. A native Texas plant strip was mulched. Propagation cells were filled and prepped for native grasses (now up and thriving). 48 steps were dug out, leveled and graveled. And trails were maintained by cutting back brush and low lying limbs.
  
• At Cedar Ridge Audubon Preserve, crews came in for a second year of work. Both crews worked for one week and one crew worked an additional week. A mountain of mulch was moved and laid (1 foot deep) along almost a mile of trail. Trail was maintained by removing defunct trail markers (cement bases and all), drainage “Thank you ma’ams” installed in two areas that were collecting rain water”, old steps and rebar were removed along the trail and new steps installed, new steps were installed in areas of high erosion, and low lying limbs and brush cut back.
  
• This was our first year working with new partner, For the Love of the Lake at White Rock Lake. Both crews worked one week and the second crew worked an additional week alone. Celebration grove fledgling tree watering wells were weeded of Bermuda grass and mulched to protect trunks from weed eaters and drought, a native Texas flower bed was weeded and mulched, stone steps were built to address a serious erosion issue around a small bridge, and mountains of exotic Privet were taken out of the historical Fish Hatchery. Six copperheads were carefully moved to a different location and many many fire ants were entertained with wild and energetic pain dances.
  

And we did other things besides work

•  Students went to REI for Leave No Trace training and a go at the Rock Wall; a trip to the World Aquarium increased awareness of Marine life; the Science and Natural History Museum gave insight into Texas ecology and natural history; and a day at the Fort Worth Nature Preserve taught students about the ecological and historical importance of bison and controlled burns in a predominant Prairie ecosystem, the value of knowing how to conduct on-the-water canoe rescues and a close look at Texas flora and fauna along rivers, lakes and low forest areas. Rumor has it a 12 foot alligator was spied; students got up close and personal with Texas snakes at the Heard Museum snake extravaganza exhibit and consequently knew how to identify the copperheads at White Rock Lake; a surprise visit from SCA’s very own Amchat lifted spirits and helped gel the crews; a week long guest appearance by Houston’s Superb Sam brought the season to a successful close after many crew leader challenges; and four days camping in Oklahoma’s Turner Falls and Chickasaw National Park brought the whole experience to a successful finish. 
  

We made it! Thanks to help from the DC and Houston offices and our two die-hard crew leaders who hung in there in spite of many challenges and difficulties. Thank you very mulch, as one student said! 

And thank you very much to the generous sponsors who made it possible, including the Darden Environmental Trust (Olive Garden), the Meadows Foundation, and other Texas funders.