Cutting down the Privet

        This past week in class, we began our five week stint of volunteering at the Fort Worth Nature Center. This opportunity to get out of the classroom and volunteer in the Fort Worth community was actually the primary reason that I chose to take this course, so I was excited to get started. The drive to the nature center was about thirty minutes, and as we were driving I realized that I had absolutely no idea where I was, as I had never driven far in that direction. Similar to the paddling trip, this realization and the fact that I had never been to the nature center before disappointed me, as it is such a beautiful natural area so close to campus that I should have been taking advantage of for the past three years. As we were driving, I was researching more into the center since I knew little about it, and the first sentence in their about me section really stood out to me: "The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R) is a natural area comprised of forests, prairies, and wetlands allowing you to step back in time and experience what the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex was like in the early 20th century." This quote made me excited to see all the types of nature this area has to offer, and I also found it particular interesting that they compared it to what you would have seen in DFW prior to all the development and industrialization.

    

Picture 1: Before photo of the privet forest

    Once we arrived to the center, we learned that we would be tasked with using sheers to cut down privet, an invasive species that was taking over an area that the center would soon be using for animals' homes. Right when we arrived at the area, I was shocked by the sheer amount of privet, as it basically looked like a privet forest (see picture 1). The plant was pretty though, and it did not look like a weed or problem plant like I expected after hearing the employees describe privet. While we were cutting down the privet, I could not help but reflect on how counterintuitive it seemed to be doing so. I understand the privet was an invasive species and being cut down to clear the space for other uses, but from a nature perspective, it seemed wrong and destructive to be cutting down such a healthy plant. For example, after cutting down one chunk, I noticed a caterpillar on the branch (see picture 3), and I found myself feeling bad knowing that I had just removed that animals home. I realized that cutting down the privet does not only affect the plant, but also affects the greater ecosystem of the space, and it made me wonder about the reach of the impact this small but mighty plant has on the area.

Picture 2: Close-up of Privet

Picture 3: Caterpillar found on the privet

        As I was having this internal debate over cutting down the privet, I also found myself thinking about the lead respondent discussion about Edward Abbey that we had the previous week in class. I wonder what Abbey would think about cutting down the privet. On one hand, it is an invasive species, but on the other it is growing naturally in the area and who are we to decide to cut down such a healthy plant for our own purposes. I think Abbey would have been on the second side, and believed that the privet should be left alone to grow as it pleases. More generally, while being at the nature center, I also was reflecting on our debate of preservation vs. accessibility, as well as Abbey's three steps for National Parks. Although this center is not a national park, I think these discussions still reign relevant for it. I do not feel like I have seen enough of it to fully know the amount of cars vs. people walking, roads, and jobs of the workers, but I do plan to pay close attention to that in these next four weeks so that I can see how the center compares to some of the national parks we discussed. 

        Overall, I really enjoyed our first week of volunteering, and am excited to continue exploring and helping at the nature center. This weekend is fall break, and I will be going home to Minnesota where fall is in full swing, so my goal is to spend as much time outside as possible to really enjoy how beautiful nature is at this time of year. Thank you for reading!

- Emily