Eagle Scout project tackles invasive aliens!

Ijams Nature Center salutes Nathaniel Smith! His Eagle Scout Project for Boy Scout Troop 213 is to remove highly invasive aliens, namely English ivy, from 1/10 acre of land at the original Ijams homesite. The plot is located in the western portion of the nature center's property along the Serendipity Trail. 

Saturday, March 11, twenty-two scouts and assorted parents removed the bulk of alien ivy. Last Saturday, Nathaniel along with his parents Jennifer and Kerry came back to work the plot again. It's an on going project with a little more ivy to remove over the next few weeks.

This area is also prime habitat for barred owls. Nathaniel also made two nest boxes for them. 

Ijams' new executive director Amber Parker has declared war on the invasive plants—English ivy, privet, bush honeysuckle and kudzu—that have overtaken large portions of our 300-plus acre wildlife sanctuary. 

Once the invasive non-native plants are eradicated, native wildflowers and animals will return. Amber vows to reclaim Ijams, returning it to its natural state. And her will be done!

- Stephen Lyn Bales. Supplied photos by Kerry Smith.

Before

Thank you Kerry, Jennifer and Nathaniel Smith and all of Troop 213