Ozone House & E-club go to Dionondehowa!

On Sunday the 14^th of October, a caravan of cars left Union College for the Dionondehowa nature preserve in Shushan, New York. We arrived to rainy conditions and were given stern warnings about ticks by the directors of the preserve, Bonnie and Geoffrey. Even so, the situation was positive in light of all of the people who had arrived to help with the work that needed to be done around the preserve.

www.dionondehowa.org 

Russian Olive plants had invaded part of the forest and one group was in charge terminating this invasive species which many times had small red berries. The forces in my group used clippers to cut the plants down and applied pesticide selectively so as to make sure to only kill the plants. Another group dealt with identifying other invasive species with bright orange tape for future disposal. Yet there were also American hunters on the prowl in the area. The third group patrolled the road in a pickup truck and put in place numerous ‘no hunting’ signs.

After a couple hours of work, Bonnie and Geoffrey treated us to a delicious meal of bread, cheese, soup, chocolate, and fruit. The food felt good in our stomachs on a fall day in the woods.  

Ozone House & Environmental Club take seasonal trips to    h           Dionondehowa- all are welcome!

"Away, away, from men and towns,

To the wild wood and the downs, --

To the silent wilderness,

Where the soul need not repress

Its music."

- Percy Bysshe Shelley, (1792-1822), "To Jane, The Invitation," c.1820

Many Thanks to Rachel Allen for the beautiful photos.