Visual Arts Center and Mildred Morse Allen Wildlife Sanctuary

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Thirty enthusiastic volunteers of all ages gathered at the Visual Arts Center (VAC) for Statewide Volunteer Day. Several families, groups of friends, and a Boy Scout organizing his Eagle Scout project were among the volunteers. After introductions, volunteers had a choice of two different projects. One project consisted of removing invasive plants along 200 feet of field edge. Using clippers, shovels, and weed wrenches, volunteers successfully removed multiflora rose, common buckthorn, glossy buckthorn, bittersweet, and privet.

An Eagle Scout worked with volunteers and helped organize cleaning out an 840-square-foot garden area, removing leaves and invasives. One red pine and three spruce trees were transplanted. The Eagle Scout plans to return to VAC, with his Boy Scout troops, on May 10 to replant the garden with native plants. The Boy Scouts also generously donated tools to VAC and supplemented the snack supply for the volunteer group.

By the end of the morning, 12 pickup truckloads of leaves and invasive plant materials had been removed from the site. 

At the conclusion of the work projects, participants selected from among three program choices provided by VAC staff: a children’s art project, natural history walk on sanctuary trails, and a guided tour of the current gallery exhibit, “For the Birds.”  Most participants were able to stay for the programs, which capped an overall very successful day.

Comments

[Amy Montague, Director]

Many thanks to all the volunteers who turned out on Work for Wildlife day. We were delighted to meet new volunteers and see some familiar faces as well. And we were amazed by how much was accomplished in one morning. Your volunteer efforts really made a difference.