On March 29, 2014, sixty-five volunteers spent their morning at Wildflower Preserve as part of Field & Stream’s Hero for a Day program. Two film crews from Field & Stream magazine were on hand to film the activities and learn more about the environmental research and restoration programs underway at Wildflower.
The volunteers worked on a variety of projects including: the monthly juvenile tarpon sampling research in Lemon Creek, cutting back invasive Brazilian Pepper trees along the creek bank, water quality sampling, collecting native plant seedlings, planting native trees and shrubs, and replanting one of the artificial floating islands at Duckweed Pond (a water quality initiative).
Twenty-five students from L.A. Ainger Middle School enthusiastically participated in the projects, along with some of their parents and siblings. Teacher ReAnna Montwheler brought out the students as part of her ongoing efforts to get the kids more involved with nature.
Here’s Field & Stream’s video from the day:
Photos from the day are shown below.
- Early morning volunteer registration
- Loading the tarpon boat during Field & Stream’s “Hero for a Day” at Wildflower Preserve
- LA Ainger Students and LBC volunteers bring in the tarpon research net
- Water Sampling
- Students planting native trees and shrubs
- One of the video crew films the planting work
- Students work with Margaret Dunson on planting a Walter’s Viburnum
- Planting a Sugarberry
- The Field & Stream crew interviews teacher ReAnna Montwheler
- Students work on preparing plants for the floating island
- LA Ainger students assist LBC volunteers with replanting the artificial floating island