We had an amazing work day last Sunday! Some of us camped the whole weekend since we were celebrating our Aries Wonderlanders! The weather was beautiful, we saw a couple of beavers, we had lots of fun, and also got a lot done!

A birthday table set out in the woods. The table has snacks, cookies and flowers. There is a garland hanging that says "uc king birthday", as well as colorful string lights. There are trees in the background and a fence made of logswith no greenery. — Wonderland Aries Birthday Party

We had a “how to use the chainsaw” refresher and some of us learned how to change the tire of the mower. We also organized the container, continued planning the fen’s hydrology restoration project, and took an initial step to stop the leak from Beaver pond using glossy buckthorn and muck - always learning from the beavers!

A group of people around a person who is teaching how to use an electric chainsaw. 2 people are bending down. One is taking a picture. 2 people have their faces covered with emojis - a sun and a flower. There is a shipping container in the back. — Chainsaw refresher

A group of people around a person who is teaching how to change a tire. 2 people are kneeling down. 2 people have emojis covering their faces - a sun and a flower. There is a shipping container in the background, as well as cars and tools. — Workshop on how to change the mower’s tire

Our big project for the work day was clearing for the Spring Tree Planting. We have learned a lot from our previous 2 years planting native trees and shrubs, and this year we were better prepared. Instead of clearing by the community area, we cleared a couple of areas by the ponds, where the soil is softer and richer. We cleared 0.75 acres, using the invasive shrubbery to create hedges. We made sure we kept the buckthorn away from the water since its toxins are damaging to amphibians. We have made space for pawpaws, hazelnuts, persimmons, hickories and hawthorns and we found a little grove of aronia berries!

A group of people in the woods working on clearing invasive shrubbery and trees. — Clearing invasive shrubbery for the native trees

Of course, all of this wouldn't have been possible without our volunteers - thank you so much for your continuous support! We shared pizza, cake and stories, and we also had time to swing in the oriental vines that were cut and jump on brush piles as we playfully got the job done.

A volunteer swinging from the invasive oriental vine that was cut, while 3 people await their turn. They are in the woods in an area that they cleared from invasive shrubbery. — Swinging from the oriental vine!

We are also very excited to have started our first collaboration with a volunteer that has been showing up for a couple of years now. This project has meant practising new ways in which we collaborate with others, considering agreements, communications, decision-making and accountability. This is a project that fits perfectly well with our wetland restoration project and the idea of convivial conservation. It is a willow grove especially designed for basketry and 50 willows were planted during the work day! The willows will also help to suppress the reed canary grass as they grow.

People planting willows using cardboard to protect the base of the willows in a cleared area with trees in the background and a dead hedge as a boundary. — Willow planting for basketry

May will be a busy month! We will have a work day on the 11th, a foraging camp on the 25th and our Wild Dinner party in Chicago on the 14th. We are also coordinating a special volunteer day for planting trees once we have the new area ready to plant, so stay tuned!

April’s Work Day Recap

Alexis Nikole Nelson