Restore Saint Paul: Youth Outdoors: Protecting Saint Paul's Trees from Oak Wilt

Friday, March 29, 2013

Youth Outdoors: Protecting Saint Paul's Trees from Oak Wilt

Post contributed by Conservation Corps of Minnesota's Youth Outdoors Crew 2:

The Saint Paul Youth Outdoors crews got to meet our youth crew members this week. We were also excited to get outside for the first time since our chainsaw training in February. We have been busy getting all trained up in the skills we will be using this year such as wild land fire fighting.

Removing tree tags from trees at Henry Park

We all got to know each other on Tuesday for Youth Outdoors orientation. After going through our handbooks, the youth got their snazzy personal protective equipment, and we worked on learning each other's names. Today, the Youth Outdoors crew that is based out of West Minnehaha Recreation Center crew got to go to the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom and spread seeds that will grow in the Oak and Transitional Woodland ecosystems this spring. The students found it interesting to learn that some seeds have to experience winter in order to know when to sprout.

The Youth Outdoors crew based out of Baker Recreation Center went to Henry Park to remove metal tags from trees so they can continue to grow and be healthy. It was important to get the tags off now, before April to avoid exposing the oak trees to the disease oak wilt. Oak wilt is most commonly spread in the months of April, May and June, so be sure to avoid wounding oak trees (i.e. pruning or removing tree tags) during this time of the year. For more information on oak wilt, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.

When we weren't leading youth this week, we got to visit some of the parks that we'll be working in this year, and began working on buckthorn removal. It has been good to be working back in the outdoors, especially now that spring has arrived at last!

Here's to hoping this wonderful weather is here to stay!

Youth Outdoors crews after a day of hauling brush

Contributing Authors

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation--Natural Resources Division:

It would be impossible for us to maintain and improve Saint Paul's natural areas to the high standards that we are used to without the coordinated efforts of our many partner organizations and volunteers. In addition to Saint Paul's Natural Resources employees, the following groups will be contributing to the content of this blog as they work hard to keep Saint Paul "the most livable city in America."

Conservation Corps of Minnesota:

The Conservation Corps provides meaningful work for young people in conserving energy, managing natural resources, responding to disasters and leading volunteers. Not only do they provide training in resource management, safety, job-readiness and technical skills, they help young people develop personal responsibility, a strong work ethic and greater awareness of environmental stewardship. CCM has been a valuable partner in maintaining Saint Paul Parks natural areas for years.

Eco Ranger Acadamy:

The Environmental Services EcoRanger Academy is an educational summer job program for youth interested in plants, wildlife and the natural environment. Youth work throughout the City in forests, lakes and prairies on restoration projects. They perform tasks such as invasive species removal, planting and mulching. The program covers plant anatomy and identification, trees, entomology, water, soils and ecology. Youth that successfully complete the summer program graduate with a certificate and references from their crew leaders.