The Nature Center-Week 1


Admittedly, I had my doubts about the class going to the nature center initially. It had rained all morning and I knew that whatever task we would have would involve mud. It was also the week where I realized that I had left my rain boots at my parents’ house and having them send me the shoes would be a hassle. I was also worried about getting to the nature center and back. 

The afternoon of our first venture my fears and worries went away: my group with several others members of class was the second group to arrive, the nature center had work boots to loan that fit my small feet, and it helped knowing the majority of class had the same type of worries.
Our first task after getting boots and heading past the buffalo ranges was to assist with their ongoing greenhouse project. Eventually they would want to level out the dirt and put more greenhouses to be able to grow and possibly sell plants at the nature center itself, but for that day they needed trenches built in order to put wooden planks in. Among the provided tools were pickaxes and at first I was tempted to grab one but thought I was going to poke myself with it being double sided. I chose a shovel instead because I thought that would be easier.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so weak.

Trying to shovel out dirt after a partner pickaxed and loosened it up seemed like an easier task, but for a while it seemed like I was not doing anything besides moving dirt around. Building trenches also was no easy task, even though the ones we were digging were not that deep compared to what we could have done. I wonder if the rain earlier in the day made it harder or if I would have struggled anyway. In certain places my boots sank into mud and I was worried that I’d get my leg stuck while trying to scoop out dirt and twist my ankle or knee. 

Even though I had to take multiple breathers, I appreciated focusing on hard work. Seeing the impact of my work helped because by the time we left the trenches were done for that section. Unfortunately, they mentioned that we would not see this project from start to finish due to there being more things to complete but I’d be excited to return to the greenhouse area to see the end result.


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