Et cetera : NCCC Team Maple 2 attacks invasive plants on Ordway Prairie

By: Colin O'Brien

On September 15, AmeriCorps NCCC team Maple 2 loaded up in two vehicles and began their trek to Leola, South Dakota, located near the north central edge of the state, where they started the first leg of their journey working with The Nature Conservancy on the Ordway Prairie. Although it was their fourth and final project, the team had serve in South Dakota previously during their second assignment on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Kristen collects seeds from a native plant, Little Blue Stem.

"The prairie is enormous and the work is physically demanding, but I am enjoying the challenge. I'll be in good shape after this project,"� said team leader Kristen Lamie of Boston, Massachusetts.

The team spent lots of time together exploring Aberdeen, playing board games together, and watched family movies. More importantly, they experienced life on the prairie while learning about how invasive plants species affect the native habitat.

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Maple 2 has been assigned to control and prevent the spread of invasive species in priority conservation areas. So far, the team has learned to identify various plant species, sprayed target plants with herbicide, and collected seeds of native plants for dispersal on the prairie.

Colin practices using an herbicide sprayer.

The team spent a day in Aberdeen on an independent service project at the local Humane Society where they socialized cats and dogs, and cleaned out animal living spaces. The team is enjoying their stay at a little house on the Ordway Prairie.