During Earth Week in April, Hoyt Arboretum hosted a series of volunteer stewardship events that brought nearly 150 participants into the park to help care for its trees and trails. Many volunteers joined as part of their workday, teaming up with their co-workers to give back to the community in a meaningful, hands-on way.
Volunteer efforts like these are vital to maintaining Hoyt Arboretum’s extensive tree collection and network of trails. These events also offer a unique opportunity for companies and community groups to connect, learn, and contribute to the conservation and care of rare and remarkable trees and plants from around the world. Visitor Information Specialist Greg Hill joined a volunteer event during Earth Week. Here’s his firsthand account of joining the Earth Week effort.
The Bamboo Forest
Did you know that there is a type of bamboo that is native to North America? Well, there is, and I never would have known had I not been out with an Earth Week Volunteer Stewardship Crew at Hoyt Arboretum! It’s called canebrake (Arundinaria gigantea), and it is native to the Southeastern U.S. During the volunteer event, Curator Martin Nicholson revealed such information about the many varieties of bamboo found in the Arboretum’s bamboo forest.
Safety First
Thursday’s crew, just one of many crews who dug in to lend a hand during Earth Week, included over twenty stewardship volunteers. The goal was to clear roots from the the perimeters of the bamboo beds and thin some of the denser clumps. Dozens of rakes, shovels, spades, and saws were brought out for use. So first, Martin instructed the crew on proper safe tool use. That’s a lot of blades and tines in close proximity to each other, so I’m glad to say no injuries were reported.
Going at It With Gusto
The instruction from Martin and Vinny, the Arboretum’s Horticulturist, was brief, and the crew dove right in, probing the sandy soil, and hacking away at errant runner roots. Actually, the roots were mostly rhizomes. Bamboo have roots to hold them in the ground, but what runs out along the ground are really underground stems, or rhizomes. Others in the crew set out with saws to thin out overgrown canes. The giant bamboo fell like trees and were set aside to feed the elephants at the Oregon Zoo. Always great to see how the different parts of Washington Park work together!
A Sense of Community
The crew made quick work of the bamboo, and moved on to other activities. Snacks were offered around by the organizers, and pauses were needed to chat a bit with the other volunteers now and then. Stories and laughs were shared. Some got to weeding out horsetails from a replanted bamboo bed, while others got to remove ivy from the adjacent hillside. It was hands in the dirt kind of work, but everyone was smiling and having a good time. We gathered for a group photo, sharing a sense of accomplishment, having made a difference in our community.
Get Involved
Want to organize a volunteer event for your company or community group? We’d love to have you join us! Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about stewardship opportunities at Hoyt Arboretum.
About the Author
Greg Hill is a writer and naturalist with decades of visitor experience at Hoyt Arboretum. An avid hiker, he spent 10 years as a Northwest Mountaineer and Trail Guide. Greg volunteered for a year at the Visitor Center before becoming a Visitor Information Specialist for Hoyt Arboretum Friends.