Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

I am involved in a student organization at the University of Iowa. We fundraise for, design, and build a pedestrian bridge over a two month span in Nicaragua every summer. As an executive board member of this organization, I decided it would be a good idea to volunteer and do something that would give back to the community that has been so helpful to us in our work. I put together a large group of people, both from the community and from my organization, and set up a location and time to clean up Ralston Creek in Iowa City, Iowa. Each year, this area becomes overrun with weeds and foreign plants that suffocate local plants that are healthier for the soil and the surrounding area. Local plants also help prevent erosion. The goal of our group was to remove unwanted plants and trash. At the end of a long day, using saws, loppers, and garbage bags, we removed over a ton of unwanted plants and garbage, which included tires, bikes, and couches. The community goes through this process every year, and we plan to go back and help next year. There is now evidence that our actions are helping, and local plants are beginning to take permanent root from year to year. We are making good progress!