curious about other plants they are encountering in the process. Working in the park as a group has also acted to calm some of their fears about poisonous insects and plants.The kids are proud of what they have been able to accomplish; 0ne child was overheard saying, "it feels good to help the park." On the right, some of the kids from Meadow Park proudly display a long piece of ivy that they were able to remove as one piece from the forest floor.
A highlight for the kids, and certainly the most rewarding part of the experience, is when all of the kids get together and pile all of the uprooted ivy onto a tarp and drag the plant debris out of the park. On the left, kids from Marigold Park get into the action dumping a large pile of ivy near the parking lot.Although much of this activity is framed around increasing awareness about invasive species, the program also acts to re-connect kids with nature. It is our hope that the program will help kids gain a sense of appreciation and wonder for the natural world. If the younger generation believes that these natural areas have value, it is more likely they will be preserved and maintained for future generations. The kids below have no problem in participating in a photo opportunity to show off all of their hard work.
