Our Field Trip
Our team, working at the Michigan Technological University commuter parking lot in Houghton, MI. We worked with experts to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments to Japanese Knotweed.
Part of our job was to locate tags in the center of all (regrowing) clumps of the knotweed. The tags marked the center of each treated sample, and listed what the sample had been treated with approximately one year before.
Once the tags were found, we used meter squares to mark off an area within each sample, and counted the number of returning shoots within that area.
This helped us to compare the effectiveness of each treatment.
Last, we were able to try various methods of pulling the knotweed, using tools or by hand. It is very difficult! Portions of the root systems were often left behind in the soil, which will re-grow into knew plants if left there.
Fun Friday
...A day off for the rest of students... But not us!
Making a tally chart to keep track of the points earned by 4th and 5th grade elementary school classes during our Elementary Eco Challenge in October!
We had to bag over 100 packets of milkweed seeds for distribution to our elementary students. We also individually wrapped 250 white pine seedlings for the same outreach project. Lots of work! It was important for us to wrap the seedlings well and keep them cool and wet.