At the conservation project we started off by donkey konging some plastic barrels that were going to be used by those participating in the rain barrel workshop. After moving the barrels we went to work pulling invasive plants (plants that come from a foreign area and that have almost no predators here in Ohio). The 1st plant that we pulled was Japanese Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica (Japanese Mellis Combibo). The 2nd plant we learned about was a Bush Honeysuckle, Lonicera maacki (condita). The 3rd plant we learned about was the Bush Honeysuckle, Lonicera morrowii (Morrowii). The 4th we learned about a tree called the Tree Of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima (Nemus Of Olympus). The 5th and was my favorite to nock down was the Japanese Knot Weed, Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese Knotot Runco). The 6th one we pulled was a plant called Common Privet, Ligustrum vulgare(secretum, privates). The 7th and final invasive plant we pulled was the Glossy Buckthorn, Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buck Corset). It was amazing to see how many invasive plant were in this small area. After we pulled some of the plants we went on a hike to see three dams along Baldwin Creek that are scheduled for removal and learned why they are coming down. When we returned to Coe Lake, we hung around listened to presentations and ate pizza. Conservation Enthusiasts included Danny, Evan, John, Richard, Mr. Booth, Mr. Deran, Mr. Makowski, and Mr. Wrabel.

Trip Plan for Conservation Day

Scouts,

I would like to invite all scouts and parents to my Soil and Water Conservation project. I need your help as this is a part of my Wood Badge ticket and I would like our troop to get more involved in different conservation projects during the year. We will meet behind the old church on Saturday, September 29th at 7:45am. We will be leaving at 8:00 am sharp. The location is at Berea Coe Lake Pavilion located at 7 Berea Commons (behind the library). Starts at 9am and ends around noon. Please wear our new tan class b shirt (red if you do not have a tan one), scout pants or shorts, water bottle and hiking boots. I am trying to schedule a Rain Barrel workshop in the same time frame. Please RSVP to me by e-mail by Wednesday, September 19th if you are planning on coming so I have an accurate count of Scouts attending. Also, I am looking for parents to drive there and back. I hope to see a great turn out !!

Yours in Scouting,

Mr Booth

Conservation Day Photo Album