The purpose of the service project was to remove non-native plants from the island and maintain it's natural habitat. We joined a group of volunteers from ACE who were working on an 18-month project on Catalina Island. Their main focus was to remove fennel from the hillsides of the island and then use herbacide to kill their roots. The entire process will take 10 years to complete, but our contribution undoubtedly made a difference.
The work was harder than I expected! We use polanskies? which were ax like tools, as well as machetes! to break down the fennel plants across the hillside. Although the work could have easily and quickly been accomplished through using electric saws or machinery, doing the work manually made the experience much more meaningful. It showed me how we must try hard to take care of our environment and not introduce plants that are not native to certain environments. If we are smart about things and don't make careless errors like such to begin with, we don't have to worry about removing them later as they take over the natural habitats by killing off the native plants needed for the particular environment.
I really loved taking part in the CSC excursion, especially for the fact that it was centered around helping the environment. It was a great opportunity to do something working towards a greater good as well as meet some new people. I am definitely taking part in some more programs with CSC and would really recommend that everyone try some sort of volunteer program through our school this year! They're a lot of fun and the program coordinator Stine is really funny and nice! Sign up with your friends and do something together! You'll meet some really cool people that you may not have otherwise had the opportunity to meet had you not volunteered and done something outside your normal routine of activities!
