We would also like to specially thank Dylan Finley, Eric Feeney, Sofia Rodas, and Morgan Hayman for all of their hard work helping to detect and clear out sapphireberry, castor aralia and linden viburnum at Vassar College in late July. Together, they dedicated over 20 hours to the effort! Occasionally, there is an opportunity for other Trail Conference Conservation Corps members to switch roles and come out to volunteer with other crews. Christel Walker from the terrestrial Invasives Strike Force came out with the AISF to help perform an aquatic plant survey. The conditions were mucky and not at all glamorous, but Christel was a real trooper! Ed Zubrowski normally spends his work days breaking up rocks and building trails as a Trail Crew member, but he traded in his hard hat for a day and assisted in pulling over 22,000 water chestnut plants at Rockland Lake. Thanks so much Christel and Ed! The top two standard and intermediate surveyors for July were Joseph Perrelli and Barbara Mistler, who have together dedicated over 80 hours to surveying over 15 miles of trail in July alone - an incredible feat! They have been focusing primarily on trails in Ramapo Reservation, Pyramid Mountain and the Appalachian Trail in Dutchess County, NY. A special congrats also goes out to Tim Reuther, Claudia Esker, John Steward, Elizabeth Stewart, and Rich Rockwell who all completed their first ever standard survey work. We had a total of 12 standard and intermediate surveys completed, including full data submitted, in the month of July and many more are nearing completion. Special thanks also to Meredith Taylor of NYC DEP, and her team including Sarah Bickler, Emily Lyman, Becca Tamagna, Ethan Pierce, Albert Perez, Jayce Blasso, Raveena Kaul, and Skylar Lawrence for completing 3 blocks. Blockbuster surveyors have completed 9 blocks this year in total. Thank you to ALL survey volunteers for your hard work and efforts thus far this season! |