Nature Journal 8: Privet, Loppers, & Bison, Oh My!

On Tuesday, we successfully cleared privet for a few hours at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. Prior to this experience, I'd heard of privet but definitely wouldn't have been able to recognize it; now I feel like an expert on identifying these plants! The privet—an invasive species like last week's bamboo—was obstructing the view of the bison herd. Our goal was to clear as much privet as possible so that park rangers could do a controlled burn in order for visitors to see the bison from the road. It was a great experience! I enjoyed lopping the privet, and I found it easier to cut than the bamboo because the bases were more accessible. It felt a little warmer than last week due to less shade, but there was a slight breeze and adjacent shaded areas that helped with the heat. I noticed myself fully invested in lopping as much privet as I could; my pants were covered in leaves, dust, and dirt each time I stood from my knelt lopping position. The satisfaction of viewing towering piles of cut privet was a great way to conclude the volunteer experience. 

Observing the bison herd was a major highlight! They are magnificent animals, and it was incredible to view them in close proximity. They were simply laying down or eating so nothing novel by any means, yet I studied their every movement. I spotted some bugs flying around the bison (which I thought would be bothersome), yet they unconcernedly continued about their business. Their coats were fluffier and darker than I expected, leading me to wonder about their cooling mechanisms for the Texas heat. Upon a quick Google search, I discovered that they shed their heavy winter coats, wallow in dirt, and rest in shade to combat the high summer temperatures. Witnessing the bison led me to reflect on the sheer diversity within the blanket term of “animal.” While humans differ significantly more from a jellyfish or an ant than a bison, it’s astonishing that we all call the same planet home. This realization reminded me of Abbey’s emphasis “that all living things on earth are kindred,” causing me to recognize and reflect upon the importance of all natural conservation efforts. Overall, this volunteer experience was satisfying, sweaty, eye-opening, and fun!!