NOTE: You will earn the Season One CITO souvenir, the Blue Switch Day souvenir, AND get a cute yellow smiley for attending this event!!!
The old Pierce Park golf couse closed in 2011. A couple of years ago a group of neighbors decided to do something with the area. Work has begun to tranform this old, overgrown and neglected parcel into something we caall n benefit from. I contacted the organizers to ask how us geocachers can help. They knew of geocaching, and know Team Babelfish (original ACC'ers), and were excited to hear from us. I explained what a CITO was to them and they are super excited to have us join them.
When the nature preserve is repaired there will be 12 acres of wetland and 6 acres of new trees (over 500 new ones will be planted). Total acreage is about 67 acres.
Michigan State University and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are involved and assists to make sure things are done properly. The committee is even attempting to reclaim and restore a "remnant" oxbow (Gilbey Creek). So lots of good things happening. How can we help? That's what I asked and here are some of the things they're working on now:
- Spreading 30 cubic yards of woodchips
- Clearing trails
- Planting trees (100 more due to arrive any day)
- Removing invasive species
- Removing trash
By the time this event comes around, they are not sure how many of these tasks will be completed, or how many more may added or in process. They will provide cotton gloves, trash bags, wheelbarrows and lawn bags. They do ask that if anyone has a shovel and/or trowel and are willing to use them, to please bring them along.
I have marked the event to be two hours long. Of course you are not obligated to stay the entire time. Come and go as you please. (And yes Andi, you can bring your chainsaw!!)
If storms or extremely bad weather is happening, the event is likely to be called off because of the delicate nature of the area. If you are even considering attending, please mark a "will attend" so you are certain to get all the information provided to me.
I hope to see a lot of you at Pierce!