This month, fifteen Ephrata High School Environmental students worked with Lancaster County Conservancy at the Texter Mountain Preserve.  This is a newly acquired property for the Conservancy meaning there is a lot of work to do to return the area to its natural beauty.  Students were participating in Timber Stand Improvement for this area.

The student’s goal was to create healthier and more productive forest.  The Conservancy removed a number of old diseased Tulip Poplars while students removed invasive species such as multi-floral rose and bittersweet vine. After the trees were felled, students cut off the tree tops and created brush piles around what would be our new grove of trees.  The brush piles would become beneficial habitat for small woodland creatures who call this neck of the woods home.  It would provide cover from predators and warmth in the winter.  All this work opened up a patch of space and sunlight for our young trees.  Now the students began the routine of planting the White Pine Seedlings.  It seemed an endless pattern of move 2 feet, dig a hole, add seedling, add dirt, pack the soil and do it all again.  Students felt the aches and pains of the work but knew that their efforts would advance this forest to the next level

Adding the grove of White Pines will create shelter from winter storms, a winter food source and a protected spot to forage for food.  The students returned along the trail tired but bolstered that the day’s work will last and benefit for generations to come.