Et cetera : Maple 4 perseveres, serves Conservation Boards

Wind, wind, and more wind greeted Maple 4 of NCCC at the beginning of their third round project. The storm on June 30 brought damaging winds forcing the team off the road on orientation day and altered the course of their first week’s service. Serving with the Blackhawk County Conservation Board, the team has already seen many challenges and triumphs, the first being the removal of downed trees and limbs from the storm in McFarlane Park near La Porte City, Iowa. Being flexible, the team got a small dose of being sent out on disaster project. Flexibility has been key for Maple 4 as well as the team has changed and reformed due to the departure of two members and the team leader. After these losses the remaining members have gained many new understandings of the word “persevere” and excited about the remaining service with NCCC.

The elements have not been without their sting for Maple 4 this project. Since the park clean-up, the team has been serving primarily on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. Built over an old rail line, the trail runs 52 miles connecting Waterloo and Cedar Rapids. The task has been simple: remove limbs, trees and bushes making their way into the trail; clearing the way for uses for the next several years. Although the weather has been cooperative and mild, the mosquitos and poison ivy have been unforgiving. Despite the inconveniences, the team has stayed determined, hitting the trail every day, becoming one with the bugs, and clearing over 5 miles of trail in just a couple weeks. The experience has been exciting for the team, allowing for hands on experience with chainsaws and a wood chipper (not too hands on with the chipper though!) Maple 4 is also serving with the Buchannan County Conservation Board. The plan is to stain a bridge and bird watch in Fontana Park in Independence, Iowa, and remove invasive species in Iowa Buchannan County Prairie habitats The members look forward to the change of pace and getting to meet even more awesome Iowans.

Photo 1: Zach Young, Gabbie McNichol and Jesse Crouch show off the wedges from their first felled trees.

Photo 2: Jesse and Gabbie clear branches off the Cedar Valley Nature Trail.