>Here is an opportunity for prairie enthusiasts to  help preserve the
>prairie behind Ames High School.

Peggy Murdock

>From: Erwin E Klaas <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: work days at Pohl Preserve
>
>To everyone interested in the Pohl Prairie Preserve at Ames High:
>
>Volunteers are needed to help with management needs at the Pohl
>Preserve.   Two workdays are scheduled for March 17 and March 24, from 9
>am to 2 PM each day.  Hopefully the snow will be gone by that time and it
>will be warm and dry.   Please report anytime during these hours to the
>main gate behind the High School to sign release forms and get
>instructions.  Following is a list of chores, listed in order of priority,
>that we hope to accomplish.
>
>1. Buckthorn eradication.  We will cut and treat stumps with
>herbicide.  This invasive woody shrub is spreading rapidly throughout the
>understory of the forest and from there out onto the main prairie.
>Priority will be given to removing female plants (those with berries still
>attached).  If anyone has a pesticide applicator's permit for applying
>restricted herbicides, please contact me.  TNC is investigating the
>possible use of a restricted herbicide, at least on part of the treated
>area, and we need one or two people who have the training and are
>certified to use them.  Otherwise we will use an unrestricted chemical.
>
>2. Trash pickup.  A lot of trash has blown in on the west side.  One work
>crew will walk through the area and pick up anything that doesn't belong
>there.  Most of the trash consists of paper, plastic, cans and bottles.
>
>3.  Brush clean up.  There is some brush laying around, left over from
>previous work days.  This needs to be piled up for later chipping or burning.
>
>4. Firewood.  A few downed trees need to be cut up into firewood with
>chain saws.  If you are an experienced chain saw operator, please contact
>me for instructions on required safety equipment.   If you have your own
>chain saw bring it.   There are several pickup loads of firewood that need
>to be hauled to the main gate.  If the ground is dry enough we will haul
>it out.
>
>5. Fence-line clearing.  The Nature Conservancy intends to repair or
>replace the boundary fencing in the near future.  Many parts of the
>fenceline is overgrown with woody vegetation and there are a dozen or more
>trees that have fallen across the fence.  These need to be sawed up and
>cleared away before the fencing can start.
>
>6.  Train maintenance/brush cutting.  We are planning to widen and repair
>an old trail around the north side through the woods that hopefully will
>take pressure off the trail that goes through the middle of the main prairie.
>
>Volunteers should wear protective clothing, shoes and gloves.  A hard hat
>and goggles are required for some jobs and recommended for all.  A hard
>hat and leg chaps are required for chain saw operators.  TNC will provide
>some equipment but if you have loppers or bow saws, bring them.   If you
>stay for the entire work period, you might want to bring a lunch or
>snacks.  Drinking water and soft drinks will be provided.
>
>We need to have one or two greeters at the gate each day to welcome
>workers, explain the release forms and direct people to work areas.   This
>is a job that can be done by anyone who can't do strenuous
>work.  Otherwise, we'll rotate greeters on and off work crews.
>
>No RSVP is required, just show up on the scheduled work days.   Hope to
>see you there, we intend to work hard, socialize, and have some fun.   If
>you have any questions, please contact me.
>
>Erv Klaas

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