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‘Hands To Work’ Program
The Abode is lucky to have the energy and commitment of Darrow students in “Hands To Work”, a program based on Shaker principles and on community service. Darrow students have given service to the Abode for many years. Here is an update on our progress.
This autumn, the project for “Hands To Work” is the renovation of selected trees at the Abode. This also entails the removal of many invasive plant species that have compromised some of our trees. Students are learning how to rehabilitate the trees “hands-on”.
Students have choices based on each week’s projects. The crew chose to prune a Dawn Redwood that needed the most help, in our first weeks. They then continued in this same area and worked straight through to the Dawn Redwood on the opposite bank, on the farm side of our stream.
Students also learned how the vines can spread very quickly. The tree on the farm side of the stream has Virginia Creeper, wild Cucumber, and wild grapevine. Most invasive vines often climb to the top of each tree and vector out on any plant or branch available. The vines that were cut more than two weeks ago are now dying, and it is much easier to tell what part is the invasive plant and what part is the tree we want to keep.
Since the last e-mail and progress report, the Darrow crew has helped clear about three years worth of heavy undergrowth, reaching and covering trees’ lower branches, and crossing the farm stream. In choosing to help clear right across the Abode farm stream, Darrow students have helped the Abode not only for the present but also for the future. The Abode plans to have a solar energy system nearby to the farm stream. This work helps start the process for tree work to bring a lot more sun to the solar panels.
The Abode is in the process of choosing which trees to keep for shade by the stream. The trees that will remain in this area will be much healthier. It looked good before but it looks great now! You can clearly see the farm stream from both sides.
This past week the crew from Darrow also helped start opening up a large area near the Abode’s greenhouse. This space will soon see major construction for the Abode’s new septic system and improvements to our Maintenance building. We are clearing here to save a Dawn Redwood, as well as four Hazelnut trees. The invasive plants in this area are multiflora rose, raspberry and other large caned brambly/thorny plants and “weed” trees. Earlier in the season the area directly under the Dawn Redwood was cleared.
Darrow students are making a big difference. To have this area opened up will help to protect the trees when the big bulldozers and backhoes arrive! The trees are now more accessible to the whole community. The Mountain Road School students are doing a special project all about the Dawn Redwoods. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders learned that the high school students from Darrow would be working on this tree the very next day. Mountain Road School “Black Bears” will have an art exhibit soon… all about the trees here at the Abode. Darrow School students are invited to see the art exhibit!
Thank you everyone for your interest in and support of the “Hands To Work” students in all of their efforts here at the Abode! Thank you to the “Black Bears” and Michaelann at the Mountain Road School too! Thank You to Jane Feldman for the great photos of the kids from Mountain Road! And of course, a special thanks to Austin, Dan, and Mr. Westcott!
*Photo by Jane Feldman
The Abode community has a Green committee and hosts Flying Deer Nature Center which introduces young people to wilderness education.
The Abode has many beautiful gardens on its main campus. From time to time, we give guided tours but you are aways welcome to enjoy them on your own.
What’s new this year?
The farmers! For the 2012 growing season, the farm will be managed by Sarah Steadman and Evan Thaler-Null. We are extremely excited to be a part of...Read more
There are long-term and short-term opportunities for volunteering including Khidmat, our Work Study program, and Hands to Heart, our Work Exchange program.
Questions?
Programs Office
518-794-8095
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