The Winds Of Change

The first day of Allcorps was very exciting as all the crews gathered forces to work on 5 very deep incursions on a hill climb near the Blyth Intaglios. In no time at all the teams were to work, picking, shoveling, filling bags and wheel barrels, rock and vertical mulch collecting. Almost immediately a fire line was formed for the efficient transportation of earth and rock. It was a sight to see from both the bottom and top of the hill; as the volunteers were bustling up and down hill to fill the incursions first layer. The sound of our metal tools against the mountain rocks clinked and clanked in a harmonious rhythm that was something likened to music.
The day was over before we knew it and we were off to make dinner. Dinner was a finely orchestrated zoo. A carousel of tents, faces and different cuisines. Each crew prepared a dish to share with the others and once the dinner call was made, there was a mad dash of crew members and staff with bowl and fork in hand, dancing from one tent to another for a sampling of each teams food. Dinner was most assuringly an exciting event, and after a long days work in the field, we were downright spoiled by the fine cooks of the DRC.

The second day of work started in a whirling frenzy of wind that began late in the evening the night before. The entire work day was enraptured in the winds of change and the sands of time. Yes sand was on the menu for lunch. Communication was difficult with the constant roaring wind and dirt covered eyelids; however, each member and most of the staff endured the high winds and shifting sands to get things done. Maybe the SCA is creating a new breed of super humans that can withstand crazy weather! At the end of the day we were all windblown and sand blasted but we survived and are all the more hardcore from the beating heart of Mother Nature.

The third day was so much fun! The fire lines and our combined efforts moved the earth and rocks in a quickened pace. The wind, once our bitter nectar then became the flurry of our merriment. The empty rocks bags were flying gracefully from one hand to the next with an amusing flare. The hours went by so fast. By the end of the day we all had learned new games to keep things fun and exciting and all got a chance to better get to know our fellow corps members. At the end of Allcorps it was great to be able see what work can be done when so many people get together for a common goal. It was sad to bid farewell to everyone and I am sure more than a few of us have developed from the experience in ways that won’t soon depart. We will miss the few days we spent together, but in exchange for happy fleeting moments, we have the awesome memories.

The next few days our crew plus a couple others, were fortunate enough to attend the Sierra Club California-Nevada Regional Conservation Committee Meeting in the quaint town of Shoshone, Calfornia. The group was able to witness firsthand, how conservation decisions are made within communities and how many different things are affected by activism. Many of the people who spoke shared very interesting scientific information, statistics and social issues within the community. There were so many environmental and energy organizations who presented their concerns and beliefs to the community, we met some very interestingly passionate people. We learned how important taking an active role in the community is the only way to get things done. The experience was eye opening and inspiring and I hope more members of the SCA can someday have the opportunity to attend such a meeting and other important community affairs.

~Angela Powell, Golden Valley Desert Restoration Corps