Volunteer Opportunity: Living Lands and Waters Needs YOU!
Who: Living Lands and Waters, Woodson Spring, Coordinator U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Joe Lundh, Forester
What: Invasive honeysuckle bush removal with the help of local schools and community volunteers
How: Advance registration requested. Please contact Geoff Manis, Living Lands and Waters, at 309-236-5627 to do this.
Why:
The honeysuckle bush is an invasive species that is easily propagated,
holds its leaves longer than most native vegetation, and chokes out
native trees, shrubs and wildflowers from emerging where the
honeysuckle is present. By removing the bushes, root and all, we are
making way for natural regeneration of native species.
This
is part of an ongoing partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
and Living Lands and Waters. In the spring of 2003, the partners
removed two square acres of the bush and planted the newly opened area
with native hardwoods. In 2004, the partners continued the progress,
with more than two acres removed over three weekends. With only a
little more than four acres of honeysuckle needing to be removed,
Living Lands and Waters hopes to conclude this phase of the project in
2005.
Where: Smith’s Island National Recreation Trail, located within the Lock and Dam 14 complex, accessible from Iowa side.
Directions:
From the 74 bridge in Iowa, take River Drive/67N approximately seven
miles until about two miles south of I-80 Bridge. Look for brown sign:
“Lock and Dam 14 Recreation Area“. Take next right turn onto frontage
road, which runs north parallel to 67. Park at the first gravel parking
lot. Follow sidewalk upstream to auxiliary lock chamber. Cross the lock
chamber and follow the path/road. Turn on the gravel path to the left
of the small prairie planting. Cross the footbridge to Smith’s Island.
The total walking distance is one mile. Please call Woodson or Joe if assistance is needed. (numbers below)
When: Saturdays, May 7, 14, 21, and 28. 8:00 AM-4:00 PM all four days unless finished early.
For more details, please contact: Geoff Manis: 309-236-5627, Woodson Spring: 319-457-0007 or Joe Lundh: 309-794-4528.
Volunteers should know that this activity will be physically demanding as well as gratifying as the removal progresses.
Participants
will be expected to wear long pants and closed-toed shoes (no sandals,
please), along with provided safety gear.
Volunteers
should be at least 13 years old and those under age 18 will need to
have a signed permission form to participate. Groups can be
accommodated with advance registration.
Lunch will be provided.
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