Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Team Cedar 5 Heads Back to Nature

By Caitlin Greig

AmeriCorps NCCC team Cedar 5 is finishing off their year of service by working with the Nature Conservancy of Illinois at the Emiquon Preserve in Lewistown, IL until November 8, when they head back to Vinton for the final time. While in Illinois, they are doing invasive species removal of trees not native to the area, such as Russian Olive and Honey Locust. They are also working on other tasks around the property like building and installing wood duck nest boxes and transferring fish from the preserve’s rearing pond to Thompson Lake.

To start their time in Illinois off on the right foot, all of Cedar 5 participated in an Independent Service Project at the nearby Dickson Mounds Museum during their first weekend. They got to teach children how to play several games and learn more about the history of the area they are currently serving in.

Cedar 5 is very fortunate for their final project to be living at the Therkildsen Field Station, owned and operated by the University of Illinois at Springfield. They spend their three-day weekends hiking and enjoying nature for all it’s worth as they prepare to wind down their year and head home.