9/12/17 Excursion to the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge

               I am on the team at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge that is assigned to the Prairie trail. Our main task this week was to fill in the land where the rain had eroded and create water bars to prevent future erosion. Some team members used shovels to fill in land while others came behind with rakes and tools to stamp the ground down. When I was first assigned to this project I felt incredibly unqualified and did not believe that a Nursing major could ever assist in a way that made a difference. As our guide, Nick, described to us the task at hand we gazed upon a trail that was worn with deep trenches from the torrential rain of last week and was lined by prairie grass and trees with branches reaching deep into the path.  The Texas heat was unceasing and my immediate thought was regret of not putting on sunscreen before heading out.

                My role in this task was to cut the arms of the trees that obstructed parts of the trail. It seemed like this would be a simple enough task. I quickly realized this conclusion was terribly wrong as I clamped the sheers on the first branch. With all of my strength I attempted to cut the branch down. However all that was left behind from my efforts was a slice that looked as if a pocket knife slashed the tree. After a comical couple of minutes Nick taught me how to properly use the tool. With guidance it was easier to accomplish the task at hand, but I still struggled with not having enough upper body strength to take down the limbs.

                As I was hard at work I looked upon the trail and admired the beauty it possesses. I did not realize that Fort Worth had such magnificent trails that encompassed nature such as this. I had blue dragon flies chasing one another around me, what I believe to be ground hogs squeaking in the grass, and unknown to me other wildlife scurrying around me. Honing in on different aspects of the trail around me I realized the importance of nature centers. The Fort Worth Nature Center has already given me the opportunity to see and experience wildlife I would never have if I stayed among my school books on campus. I know that the other 90,000 visitors that have walked these trails have also gained perspective and created memories among the wildlife. It is of great importance for citizens to come alongside the employees of the Nature Center and protect the wildlife that it holds.

                It was amazing to see what a little over an hour could do to preserve a trail. By the end of the class period my team and I restored about 30 feet of trail and created 3 water bars to prevent the same erosion. We were able to assist in preserving the trails that are teaching so many individuals to appreciate nature. Working on the trail has already given me a new lens to look at my environment through. Nick our guide pointed out to me a Leaf Hopper that I never would have even noticed had he not pointed my attention to the details of the trail. I am eager to continue to learn from the environment of the Prairie trail, and learn to appreciate to a greater extent the intrinsic details of God’s creation that culminate an ecosystem.