Ecosteward Spotlights

Are you interested in the Urban Ecostewards Program?  Have you ever wondered how volunteers got involved with the Urban Ecosteward Program?  Maybe you've been considering joining this amazing group of people but needed a little more information?  Well, with our Ecosteward spotlight page, you can get an in-depth look at some of our wonderful volunteers! 

The second entry is "10 questions with an Ecosteward...answers by Kurt Summersgill."  Kurt has been with us since 2004 and is always outdoing himself with the amazing work he does eradicating invasives from the hillside above the park. 

1.  How did you get involved with the Urban Ecostewards Program?

I actually started working in Frick Park, removing English Ivy, before I knew about the Ecostewards, back in 2002.  I'm not sure where I heard about the program!

2.  What's your favorite aspect of Ecostewarding?

I like to get outdoors, work with my hands, and destroy things, like invasive species.  It's good to go back to an area and see a decrease in invasive plants in successive years.

3.  Why did you choose to steward in Nine Mile Run?

Frick Park is three blocks from my house, so I can just walk to my Ecosteward area.  

4.  What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining the UES program?

It's a great chance to get outdoors and do something helpful for the parks.  The training is very good.  I've learned a lot about invasive plants, and about plant and tree identification.

5.  What is your favorite tree/native plant?

Eastern Dogwood.

6.  What is your least favorite invasive plant?

Mutiflora Rose.

7.  If you could add something to the UES program to make it better, what would it be?

Maybe add some more invasive blitzes, where we get a bunch of Ecostewards and friends, and attack different areas of the park.

8.  What was your favorite UES workshop of 2010?

The annual winter meeting is always good to get an update on the program, and then some training.  This year was tree identification.  Earlier was information on the Emerald Ash Borer.

9.  What would be your ideal UES workshop?

Some socializing, some education, then go out into the park for some work.

10.  What was the last book you read?

I'm currently reading 'A Confederacy of Dunces' by John Kennedy Toole.

 

Stay tuned for more Ecosteward spotlights features!   Check out the UES Spotlights Archive for more entries.  If you are interested in participating in the Urban Ecostewards program, contact Luke at 412.371.8779 ext.120 or luke@ninemilerun.org.