By Charlotte Murphy, IU Corps Intern
On Saturday, October 4, IU Corps is hosting Weed Wrangles at Lower Cascades Park in conjunction with the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation team. This is the first official Fall Bison Day of Service, and all students can participate. Volunteers will learn about invasive species, how they harm Bloomington’s local parks, and help reduce the amount by pulling and safely disposing of the invasive plants. IU Corps worked with the Urban Green Space Outreach team and specifically with Gillian Fields to plan this event. Fields’ team works with the public to educate people about the environment and why we should care.
“Whether it’s pulling weeds, invasive species, or collecting native seeds for planting and native restoration sites, we have hands-on experiences,” Fields said.
Fields is a board member in the Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species (MCIRIS) group and wants volunteers to experience what invasive species are and why we should care.
“Invasive species are something that [are present] in Bloomington, in our county, our state, and on our continent,” Fields said. “We recognize that invasive species are worldwide. Volunteers will be introduced to two invasive species and either use tools or their hands to pull them or cut them. An important distinction is that rather than eradicating invasive species, we talk about reducing them because some invasive seeds stay viable in the soil from 5–10 years or longer depending on the species. When we accurately describe the goal as reducing invasive species, rather than eradicating, we can meet our expectations and sometimes exceed them.”
The mission of the MCIRIS group is not just to reduce the invasive species in Bloomington.
“Every green space is important for wildlife,” Fields said. “Our yards, our schools, our places of worship, and businesses can all reduce their mowing footprint, to grow natives, and to reduce their invasive species. People and where they live are just a small part of what our educational focus is. What’s important is that the social aspect of the environment, such as getting together and working together, helps us experience more joy when we’re doing something for the greater good. Our group is very intentional.”
For students who are interested in participating in the Weed Wrangle, supplies will be provided; however, volunteers are asked to wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeve shirt. It is also recommended to have bug spray and a water bottle to stay hydrated.
“We provide safety gear, gloves, safety glasses, and a safety vest for people to wear so they are clearly volunteers with the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Group,” Fields said. “Safety is our number one priority.”
To sign up for the Fall Bison Day of Service and participate in Weed Wrangles, visit beINvolved for more information.
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