Nature Journal #2: Day 1 at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

Today we had the most exciting time at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge! Having the ability to venture off campus for a couple of hours to experience all that the outdoors has to offer was incredibly rewarding and so special. My Tuesdays are filled with class from 9:00AM to 9:10PM, so it was such a treat to deviate from the typical classroom setting and enter a world full of curiosity while also participating in impactful service. I absolutely adore immersing myself in the outdoors, admiring the natural beauty that nature has to offer. Its simplicity is calming and humbling, serving as a constant reminder that life comes in a myriad of forms and that we all inhabit the same planet. However, oftentimes, nature does not get the respect or reverence it rightfully deserves and is taken for granted. Flourishing plants and soil provide a sanctuary for species, shielding them from potential harm while simultaneously sustaining life. For me, exploring nature is comforting and rejuvenating, and thus, I could not wait for our first day volunteering at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.

Of course, the first day always comes with some nerves. Nerves about what will be asked of me, what my capabilities truly are, and what impact I will tangibly make. As volunteers, it is our duty to enact positive change and create a lasting impact for the Nature Center. Moreover, I was determined to not only live up to the expectations of the park staff, but to exceed them. Seeing the smiling faces and genuine elation of the park staff when we congregated for our first meeting was touching—our presence and sheer willingness to help meant a great deal to them, and I wanted to make them proud.

Prior to this class, I had no idea how invasive privet and bamboo could be and that its rampant spread displaces native plants. It is shocking how even the burning of bamboo does not stop its continuous production. When introduced to the wood chipper machine, I was slightly taken aback by how monstrous it was in size and consumed with anxiety regarding being tasked with operating the heavy and dangerous machinery on the very first day of volunteering. However, my nerves were quickly calmed when I threw my first sample of privet into the machine—it was electrifying! Each trip to the wood chipper elicited almost a cathartic response; it was invigorating to see the privet and bamboo transform into saw dust. After dumping the invasive species in the wood chipper, I immediately ran back to the brush to gather the next round. Additionally, having this time away from the classroom and distractions was oh so refreshing. Surrounded by my wonderful classmates and witnessing us work toward a common goal was inspiring and further ignited my desire to rebuild the landscape.

When the afternoon concluded, I was in awe of what we had accomplished. The land was exponentially clearer, healthier, and well-kept. When combined, the small individual efforts of each person turned into a chain reaction of productivity and tangible change. And this was only day one! Here’s to another 4 weeks of impactful and fulfilling work with my community of classmates.