Celebrating Earth Day, YESC Style

Today, UMLY and LCY Earth Service Corps celebrated Earth Day the best way we know how - with some back-breaking service projects at the Cassatt Preserve! The crew, along with Jeff Scott and Brian Raicich, took on a number of projects on this sunny Saturday.

The day started with a bird walk to tally what spring migrants have arrived at the Preserve. The focus project for the day revisited the former camp-out site at the juncture of the Hemlock, Pond Loop, and Monk Swamp Trails.

This site was used for camp-outs over ten years ago but has since become overgrown with invasive plants. Over the past winter, YESC cleared this area of multi-flore rose. Today, the crew sheet mulched the site. This involved laying down newspaper over the ground and then spreading woodchips over top.

This method helps slow the growth of the invasive plants and allows them to be managed easier. The plan is to use the old camp-site for YESC camp-outs this summer.

The crew also pulled garlic mustard along the Hemlock Trail, moved some fill dirt away from trees on the edge of the summer staff parking area, cut back the Monk Swamp Trail, and brought cinder blocks and brick down to reinforce the Monk Swamp Trail boardwalk. 

 

Congrats to everyone that helped out today, you did a fantastic job and provided a great service to UMLY's Cassatt Preserve!

YESC Earth Day Service Project Tomorrow!

Hey gang,

Join us tomorrow for our Earth Day Service Project! We will meet at UMLY in the Camp Modular at 10am and return at 2pm for pickup. There is much to do in the Cassatt Preserve so we need all hands on deck to help! We will be creating the camp site in preparation for this Summer's YESC Conservation Boot Camp sessions. Also, we will be removing invasive plants and beautifying our outdoor classroom! Please bring a lunch and a water bottle. Prepare to get dirty!

For the birders, please meet Brian Raicich in the Camp Modular at 9am for a bird walk before the project.

Looking forward to an amazing weekend!

Get involved,
BQ

Two AWESOME Events This Weekend! [VIDEO]

Hey gang!

We have two really exciting events set up for this weekend!

On Friday, April 13th, YESC will meet in the Environmental Education Center at UMLY for a Friday Fun Night from 6pm - 9pm! We will participate in stargazing and night hiking as we explore the Cassatt Preserve after the sun goes down. Participants need to bring a flashlight and should wear clothes for hiking. The program is free, and there is no need to register ahead of time. Just show up!

On Saturday, April 14th, YESC will embark on a bike trip on the Chester Valley Trail to Exton Park from 10am - 3pm! 

If you are in UMLY YESC, participants will meet the YESC staff on the Pub side of the Wegman's parking lot in Malvern (50 Foundry Way, Malvern, PA 19355) at 10am. From there, YESC will bike on the Chester Valley Trail to the Exton Park. Upon arrival, YESC will participate in a service project to help clean the park and explore this hidden gem of Exton in search of rare and unusual wildlife. We will return to Wegman's at 3pm. Participants need to bring their own bicycle and helmet in addition to a schoolbag or backpack with a water bottle and a lunch. This trip is free so there is no need to register ahead of time. Just show up! For those who are interested, I will be on the Pub side of Wegman's at 9am for breakfast before the trip. Bring your own money and join me for a bite before we hit the road!

If you are in the LCY YESC, the van will depart from LCY at 10am and return at 3pm. The trip is free, however you need to register at the Welcome Center by noon on Friday if you would like to reserve a seat in the van. Participants need a water bottle and a lunch.

Finally, in preparation for our brush with invasive plants on Saturday, our beloved Yusuf created an awesome video about mile-a-minute vines:

Thanks Yusuf, you did an awesome job! Join us this weekend for these awesome events!

Get involved,

BQ