Demaree-Forest+Preserve+Work

Reflection #1 The first time going to the Forest Preserve I didn't know exactly what to expect. In the past I have done much restoration work with my mother because she is really into things like that. I arrived to loud power tools that were cutting down invasive species of trees that grow uncontrollably, killing everything in there path. I spent about two hours taking down these trees and the remainder of the hour and a little more throwing the wood into a fire so the trees were unable to grow back. While doing this I learned a lot about the people who were there, mostly old, and their passion for protecting native land. I realized they were extremely worried that this task they do each weekend will soon end with their old age. I realized that a young person like me being their made them very happy and gave them hope for younger people to continue the tradition.

Reflection #2 The second time that I went to Spring Creek were located not in the woods but in a huge hilly grassland overlooking the forest. It was a very pretty sight but my pour choice of clothing left me very cold. This time we picked weeds that have been pulled for the last ten years and there were hardly any of them left for us to kill. Secondly we came across a pile of concrete surface that someone had just drove out their and dumped. Seeing the pain this brought to the people around me very sad, so I was eager to help them pull it out of the ground. At the end of the day I was very proud of what I had done, made wild life a little bit safer for the organisms that live their.

Reflection #3 The last time returning to the Spring Creek Forest preserve was much like the first, killing invasive species, but this time it was a plant called garlic mustard that spreads rapidly through forests. Even though it doesn't look bad the things it does would surprise you. I was very familiar with this plant because my mother had done a lot of this picking in my backyard. Although this was the last time that I would return to the preserve for the Sociology I'm sure I will return over the summer with my mom just to help. I learned a lot about team work and the passion people have for maintaining a safe environment for other organisms around us.