Saturday at Cranberry was ridiculous on a couple levels. First, it was close to 60 degrees before day's end, shirtsleeves on the 21st of January. Second, we built and burned nine or ten brush piles, quite an accomplishment for a crew of twenty-some. Every time you look in another direction, you see a new pile popping up. A fresh tank of propane will take you a long way.
The work site was in the middle of the preserve, across the creek from the locale we worked last January. That would be the creek Kathy went knee-deep in while crossing, making those warm temps especially welcome to her.
This is a beautiful area and it's a shame more people don't get to see it. That can be said about many of our work sites since few are located along a trail or road.
Swallow Cliff Woods January 21
This was John O'Lear's first workday of the season and he spent it cutting viburnum east of 104th Avenue, directly behind the slough dubbed "No-Name". Someone (contactors?) already cleared a large chunk of land nearby and John, with his small group, continued on the southern edge.
This was the biggest of our Paddock Wednesdays to date, 12 volunteers strong with two on chainsaw. We finished clearing the big buckthorn area along 86th Avenue, under the approving eye of a neighbor who welcomes the ability to look farther into the preserve for wildlife viewing. Next week we expect to be working closer to 119th Street.