In spite of dodgy weather, last week 16 students and faculty from Moses Brown accomplished a tremendous amount at Blackstone Park. As part of their ninth-grade community service program, over three days the group tackled several projects that serve both park users and the health of the ecosystem. Visitors can now walk on a formerly muddy trail newly covered with woodchips, encounter less trash in the ravine, and later this year can enjoy a new patch of wildflowers near York Pond. Less visible but at least as important were two projects that targeted forest health. The group removed invasive plants choking native trees and wildflowers. And to help restore the degraded steep slope next to the York Pond steps, they fixed the rail to deter off-trail use and moved fallen leaves uphill (!) bucket-brigade-style to cover bare areas. What a fantastic start to the 2025 season!
