Et cetera : NCCC Fire Team Creates New Life

By: Justine Miller

Maple 5 arrived in Wapello, Iowa on March 19 with anticipation and a burning desire to put all their training into action with the Louisa County Conservation Board, the Iowa DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

As the project comes to a close this Friday, the 11-member team is looking at the variety of work accomplished ranging from prescribed burns, trail maintenance and environmental education field trips and lessons.

Maple 5 participated in over 2,000 acres burned through all three departments. In addition to prescribed burns, Maple 5 taught almost 1,000 Louisa County elementary students environmental studies ranging from bluebird education to soil, prairie history and water safety. On days when weather did not permit burning, NCCC members removed over 29,000 pounds of invasive species, such as garlic mustard and willows.

On their days off, members of Maple 5 worked 12 hours of independent service hours ranging from a local can drive to an Easter Egg Hunt for the community. An Earth Day Workday event was planned as well at Chinkapin Bluffs. Maple 5 organized a sprucing up event for local organizations and residents to participate in with tasks including trail maintenance, tree planting and arts and crafts.

Maple 5 member, Aurora Harrison, 24 of Sacramento Calif., said the most rewarding experience has been being able to burn with three different levels of government. “Being able to learn the nuances of each department,” she said. In regards to future projects as well as outside of work, Harrison learned more than just regulations. “It’s the adaptability I have learned that is necessary during fire season,” she said.