Sarina's Nature Book Club Blog

Earlier this week, we had our first volunteer experience at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. Due to the nearby neighborhoods, there was an overgrowth of a bamboo invasive species. We spent two hours lopping and piling the bamboo in a forested part of the nature center. It was warm, but there was a decent amount of shade in our working area which was perfect. As we worked, I figured out little techniques to cut the bamboo easily, find the stem source effectively, and pile the stalks efficiently. It was enjoyable to be enveloped by nature and quite satisfying to see the towering piles of our labor. I spotted much more bamboo in the forested area as we drove out of the refuge; this was disheartening but made me reflect on how every little bit helps. We cleared out a fairly large section of bamboo in only a few hours, and we will continue with flora upkeep in the coming weeks.   I also went for a little stroll through campus after my classes yesterday. I focused on admiring the...

I spent time in nature with my dad at a park in my hometown. We hiked a trail around and through a small canyon as well as explored the park. I observed lots of flora and fauna throughout my excursion. The hiking trail and park were lined by a dried spring, cedars, bald cypress trees, mountain laurels, Christmas cacti, and roundflower catclaw shrubs (pictured below). I encountered many squirrels, heard birds chirping, and noticed bees buzzing around flowering plants on my hike. I observed ducks, tilapia, sunfish, bass, and minnows swimming in the river on the opposite side of the park. I enjoyed starting my day off with an activity in the great outdoors since I rarely have time to do so while in school. The fresh air and perfect weather made the outing even better. It was also great because my dad taught me about the various plants and animals that surrounded us.   My experience reminded me of the importance of preserving natural environments in urban areas. While I only passed a h...