Habitat restoration employs lots of different tools and techniques in order to meet our goals. Blue 4 had the opportunity to participate in many of these activities. IAE staff provided thorough instruction and safe spaces for team members to have introductory training on flame weeding, chainsaw use, axe and handsaw use, and hand seeding of native plants. Each member of Blue 4 was able to push their boundaries, learn new skills, operate new equipment, overcome environmental challenges, work together as an efficient team and gain some real-world experience with implementing science-based actions in order to enhance an ecosystem.
The experience gained by Blue 4 volunteering with Institute for Applied Ecology will have some long-lasting effects on the members of the team, much like the long lasting positive effects the team had on the 11 meadows they worked to restore. All of us who love our local meadows and the unique plants, animals and fungi residing within owe a debt of gratitude for the immense amount of work this team has given us. Thank you Blue 4!
