JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Make a Difference Day 2023 was a great success at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. With 27 dedicated volunteers of all ages, large sections of invasive species were cleared from green spaces next to the Madigan FIT trail. Volunteers, Environmental staff with JBLM’s Directorate of Public Works and interns from DPW Fish and Wildlife worked together to clear Himalayan Blackberry, Reed Canary Grass, Holly, Scots Broom and other invasive species. This removal makes the trail more usable and allows native species to thrive.
During the work, DPW Environmental staff and DPW Fish and Wildlife interns directed and educated volunteers on the ecosystem surrounding the Madigan FIT Trail. The space is home to native species including Sword Ferns, Douglas Firs, Huckleberry, Cottonwood, and more. These plants can be easily overrun by invasive species, so restoration is important to maintain the native ecosystem.
Volunteers on Make a Difference Day were able to explore the trail, but also made a big difference by providing restoration. Himalayan Blackberries might be delicious, but those thorny vines can overtake native species. Volunteers were dedicated to making sure that didn’t happen. DPW Environmental staff also pulled huge clumps of Reed Canary Grass from Murray Creek. This grass can fill up the creek and prevent natural flow.
“With the dedication of the volunteers, we made a huge difference.” Hailey Dunn, Environmental Outreach Coordinator at DPW, said. “For the past several years, the Directorate of Public Works Environmental has partnered with the JBLM Volunteer Coordinator at the Directorate of Human Resources for this special restoration event. This event enables the JBLM community to restore a green space and bring people together to explore a new place they may not have been aware of within the cantonment.”
The Madigan FIT trail is a short path that runs along Murray creek; parking can be found across from old Madigan and the Fisher house. The trail runs from Old Madigan housing to the Madigan hospital and is padded with spots to stop for sit-ups or burpees. It’s a great trail for all ages, and an awesome place to go exploring for plants, bugs and animals.
Make a Difference Day was originally created in 1992 by USA Weekend magazine and joined by Points of Light. Millions of people come together every fourth Saturday in October with the common goal of improving the lives of others.
JBLM’s goal is to not only provide restoration and beautification of the trail, but to celebrate the connection between people and green spaces, inspire environmental stewardship and encourage use of these spaces for education, health benefits and recreation.
JBLM volunteers are crucial to keeping these green spaces healthy and available for future mission and future generations.
Invitations to take part in future events like Make a Difference Day can be found on the Sustainable JBLM social media page.
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