MLK Service Day at OAC January 19, 2009

Despite cold-grey skies and finger-numbing temperatures the Atlanta Outdoor Activity Center (OAC) hosted a happy crew of volunteers on Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Approximately 60 volunteers broke into three groups removing two of the major threats to native plants in Georgia: English Ivy, Hedera helix, and Autumn Olive, Elaeagnus umbellate. Determined to work their way through a productive morning, volunteers left behind mounds of eradicated invasives. The day ended with an environmental educational hike directed by Jerry Hightower, Park Ranger at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, followed with warm apple cider and sweets for the gratifying work, courtesy of Java Monkey.

The OAC has invested a long history of commitment within the community of Richland Hills, which is located on the slopes of Bush Mountain in southwest Atlanta. Since 1975, OAC has served as a community service as urban forest and greenspace in an underserved area for the surrounding public schools. Operated by community organizers Bruce Morton, Darryl Haddock and Derek Roqumore, the OAC and West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) have been working to continue building an educational curriculum promoting stewardship, protecting and improving water quality, and good environmental health practices. With aim to continue community efforts to restore environmental stability, the 26-acre urban forest preserve will be used for outdoor workshops and fieldtrips along with various learning services for all ages.

Most importantly, the OAC welcome all those within the community as well as outside the metro area to come explore the property, recognize community responsibility, and promote the use of informal recreation and natural resources such as trail access for hiking and intro-level mountain biking.

Ecoaddendum is working with the OAC to reestablish native plant species and, over a period of time, continue to help with the process of invasive plant removal. A successful invasive plant removal doesn’t happen all at once.  It is actually a slow process that may take several years on large properties, such as OAC, and is conducted over periods of management phases. EcoAddendum will, also, assist in building the curriculum for youth environmental journaling as well as plant installations of local species as we continue to propagate at our local nursery.

Our friends at OAC will be happy to provide more information about the Outdoor Activity Center on their affiliate website at www.wawaonline.org.