Et cetera : NCCC Maple 3 at the edge of the Country with US Fish and Wildlife in ND

Carl Dickerson of Maple 3 is cleaning out a garden bed for U.S. Fish & Wildlife

Kerstina Aldrich prepares the ground of the Visitors center at J Clark Salyer Wildlife Refuge

By Brecon Richmond and Andrew Johnson

Maple 3 is serving with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife at J Clark Salyer Wildlife Refuge in Northern North Dakota between May 9 and June 10. The team is primarily doing wet land prairie restoration via controlled burns, which prevents flooding, remove invasive species, and protect nesting lands for birds.

Upon arriving after a two day van ride from their Vinton, Iowa campus, the team was tired, but eager to begin work after a long break in between rounds. Responsibilities started two days later when the team made a drive to Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge and installed cages on 25 trees to protect them from beavers, as well as several other smaller projects.

The team’s tasks have been steady and plentiful since then. Maple 3 has conducted landscaping, tree cutting, fence removal, and has burned 760 acres for the Wildlife Refuge Complex. The team is also learning about the refuge’s history as a Native American Tribal Land. As well as one of the first work sites for the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Roosevelt era in the mid 1930’s

.

The sentiments of the team towards the time being spent at the refuge are voiced in the words of member Kerstina Aldrich, “My time here in North Dakota is very rewarding, in more ways than one. I’m surrounded by wildlife, fresh air, and am learning new skills that I can use for the rest of my life”. The other members of Maple 3 use the beauty and solitude of the refuge to motivate them in their responsibilities.