A little rainy, a little cloudy, a little grey with the hope of clearing. Our service site at Connelly Creek in Happy Valley Park is similar; seeming cloudy and almost ominous because there is so much work to do but at the end of the day we are left with the light that we have made good progress and that our work will one day be finished.
Raccoon Kits met on Saturday to do service work for their first time ever at the Boys EC adopt-a-stream site. The Connelly Creek site in Happy Valley Park is part of a partnership with the City of Bellingham Parks and Rec Department. We’d like to thank Rae and Ellen for their hard work guiding us and providing us with mulch, plants, and debris removal. Another important partner is the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) that provides us with many tools and guidance as well. Thanks Phoebe for helping to coordinate our project days. It’s nice to have a community of groups and people who support our commitment to serving the land!
Little were the Raccoon Kits aware of the group of Red Tailed Eyas that awaited their arrival. The RTE had been hiding in the shrubs and grasses for 30 minutes, blending into the surroundings and giving the younger Kits a chance to harness their awareness skills. The older Eyas showed an exemplary character as they mentored the younger Explorers not only in how to do service work but in how to be a part of the land.
We ate lunch while mentors demonstrated how NOT to use tools. It’s a good thing they were joking otherwise they might be a few fingers and teeth short. Then we reviewed how to safely use the tools and we got to work.
Explorers learned the tasks for the day: trim reed cannarygrass, dig blackberry roots, and lop away blackberry stems, cut them up, and remove non-grass debris. We also took to spreading mulch and working in teams to carry heavy loads. After all, Many Hands Make Light Work. We planted willow sections that we found in the area and made mulch rings to prevent other species from growing in their immediate vicinities. Boys of all ages showed distinct focus and commitment to the projects in which they were involved. Everyone’s focus (from ages 7 to 10 to 37) was unwavering during our time on the land. That was the second most impressive thing on Saturday.
The first most impressive thing was the cross-group and multi-aged collaboration. This Explorer stopped for a second to relish in the work being done and the process of cooperation that he knows all of these boys have inside their hearts. It brings tears of joy to my eyes as I remember hearing, “1, 2, 3, Lift; 1, 2, 3, Lift; 1, 2, 3 Lift” repeated by mixed groups of Raccoon Kits, Red Tailed Eyas and mentors in unison.
This is why we scheduled the days staggered and with different groups. These boys stepped into the space with open and willing hearts with caring attitudes while serving the land. They asked nothing in return and received the satisfaction of teamwork and a job well-done.
These pictures and the photo gallery will tell the rest of this story but the best thing to do would be to revisit the area with your Explorer so he can guide you along the work that he did. The sooner you get out there, the more prominent the changes will be when you return next time. With 10 groups visiting this season, we have made quite an impact already.
Thanks for your great work, Raccoon Kits!!! You continued the strong precedence for other groups who will be serving this season. Parents, thank you for supporting these Explorers and for giving them the chance to serve the land with us.
Next outing will be the last one of the season, June 7th, to learn about the Art of Water. We’ll see you at Arroyo Park at noon unless our paths cross in town before then!
No comments:
Post a Comment