08.03.2011 PRB PacketNOTICE OF MEETING
KENNEDALE PARK BOARD
KENNEDALE, TEXAS
Notice is hereby given that a ❑ Workshop, ❑ Public Hearing, ❑
Special Meeting, and /or ® Regular Meeting will be held by the Park Board of
the City of Kennedale, Texas at 7:00 p.m., on the 3�d day of August 2011, in the
Council Chambers at 405 Municipal Drive, Kennedale, Texas at which time the
following subjects will be discussed to wit:
AGENDA
(SEE ATTACHED AGENDA)
Dated this the 29th day of July, 2011
By: David Deaver, Chairma
I, the undersigned authority, do hereby certify that the above Notice of
Meeting for the Park Board of the City of Kennedale, Texas is a true and correct
copy of said Notice and that I posted a true and correct copy of said Notice on
the bulletin board of City Hall of said City in Kennedale, Texas, a place
convenient and readily accessible to the general public at all times, and said
Notice was posted on July 29, 2011 at 4:00 p.m., and remained so posted
continuously for at least 72 hours preceding the scheduled time of said Meeting.
Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may
need auxiliary aids or services such as interpreters for persons who are deaf or
hearing impaired, readers, large print, are requested to contact the undersigned
at (817) 985 -2105 five (5) work days prior to the meeting so that appropriate
arrangements can be made.
Dated this the 29th day of July 2011.
By: \
Celeste O. Brown
Park Board Secretary
AGENDA
PARK BOARD
REGULAR MEETING — August 3, 2011
KENNEDALE MUNICIPAL BUILDING — 405 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
REGULAR MEETING — 7:00 P.M.
Call to order
Roll Call
A. Visitors /Citizen Forum
At this time, any person with business before the Park Board not scheduled on the Agenda
may speak to the Commission, provided that a "Speaker's Request Form" has been completed
and submitted to the Park Board Secretary prior to the start of the meeting. All comments must
be directed towards the Chairman, rather than individual members or staff. All speakers must
limit their comments to the subject matter as listed on the "Speaker's Request Form." No formal
action can be taken on these items.
B. Regular Items
1. Introduction of newly appointed Park Board Members
2. Discuss damage done to the electrical wiring at Sonora Park
3. Staff presentation of Pavilion Rental Report
4. Discuss the Keep Kennedale Beautiful Bird Sanctuary Clean -up project
5. Park Dedication Fund Reports (will be available at the meeting)
6. Discuss and consider entering Sonora Park in the Coca -Cola second annual America is
Your Park campaign
7. Updates on construction activities
C. Adjournment
Date: August 3, 2011
Agenda Item No: B-2
Subject: Discuss damage done to the electrical wiring at Sonora Park
Originated by: Celeste Brown, Park Board Secretary
Summary: As a result of someone vandalizing the Ball fields looking for copper, the City will
have to replace the wiring around the scoreboards. Attached is a copy of a quote we received
from Stovall Corporation for your review. Staff would like to discuss possible ways we can
keep this from happening again.
Disposition by Park Board:
®07/25/20111 MON 10;48 FAX
bol/001
Stovall Corporation
Electric, Petroleum, and Cabinet Millwork Divisions
P.O. Box 1165 / 104 E. Broadway
Kennedale,lX 76060
817 - 572 -0182
817- 561 -1626 Fax
www.stovallcorp.net
Monday, July 25, z011
Re: Ball park lighting repair in Kennedale
Subject; Electrical Proposal
Stovall Electric submits the following proposal to repair 11 damaged boxes and disconnects on the light poles.
Electrical Material $ 1697.00
Electrical Labor $1280.00
Scope of Work
1. Repull wire on east side of tee ball field in between it and field 2.
2. Replace damaged disconnect on east light pole at tee ball field.
3. Resplice. all other connections and recover j- boxes.
4. Repull wire at scoreboards.
Non- scope terms
1. On west side of field 2 may not be able to resplice wire. Price does not include repulling of wire.
l '
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-111, � WK-,
Date: August 3, 2011
Agenda Item No: B-3
Subject: Staff presentation of the Pavilion Rental report
Originated by: Celeste Brown, Park Board Secretary
Summary: Attached is a copy of the Pavilion rental report for Parks Board members review
as per your request from our last meeting.
Disposition by Park Board:
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Date: July 28, 2011
Agenda Item No:
Subject: Report on KKB Clean -up of Bird Sanctuary
Originated by: Kelly Cooper
Summary: The City of Kennedale received a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for
the purpose of establishing several bird sanctuary locations. Rachel Roberts, City Planner
has been coordinating the grant and asked Keep Kennedale Beautiful Commission to assist
in the clean -up efforts for two possible locations, first the area behind Sonora Park and
second the old section house location on New Hope Road.
There are two parts to the project, first is a clean -up of the property, removing trash and other
debris such as old tires, bottles, cans, etc. Second part of the project includes removal of
invasive plant species. These two parts of the project have been scheduled for October 8,
2011 at 10:00 a.m.
Several preparatory tasks must be completed prior to the date of the event. City Staff will be
responsible for coordinating several of these items as listed on the attached "To Do List,
Invasive Species Cleanup." These items include the following: contacting Master Naturalist
for assistance with volunteer leadership training and event crew leadership assistance so
future events can be led solely by Kennedale resident volunteers; working with the Audubon
society regarding nesting box designs and information on good bird habitats; walking and
marking the site for the event; working with Agrilife regarding proper herbicides for safe
removal of poison ivy and poison oak prior to the event for volunteer safety; arranging for a
dumpster; purchasing the necessary supplies and equipment; and providing a small snack or
lunch following the clean -up in celebration and appreciation for those who volunteered their
time.
Keep Kennedale Beautiful Commission has accepted the responsibility of recruiting
volunteers, advertising and distribution of flyers and notices about the event; contacting a
game warden to provide a children's educational program; and contacting a boy scout's troop
to create the nesting boxes for placement at each location.
Michael Chandler is available to answer any questions you might have about the event. KKB
would like to partner with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on this event and could
certainly use as many volunteers as possible.
Once the event is complete their will be a call for volunteers to assist the Bird Advisory Group
in counting species at these two locations.
Attachments: To Do List and Invasive Species Removal Information
Recommendation: No Action needed at this time.
TO DO LIST, INVASIVE SPECIES CLEANUP
Tasks
(1) Identify locations for cleanup
(2) Create flyers and distribute
(3) Recruit volunteers
(4) Train event leaders
(5) Train volunteers
(6) Purchase supplies
(7) Arrange for dumpster
(8) Poison ivy and Poison oak: get rid of or thin out?
Subtasks
(1) Identify locations for cleanup
(1 -1) walk park areas with Paula Chanell (don't go through railroad park, as it's filled
with poison ivy and poison oak; walk along the perimeter only)
(1 -2) measure designated bird habitat areas using GIS
(1 -3) clear locations with Bob, parks department, parks board?
(1 -4) Create map of locations
(2) Create flyers and distribute
(2 -1) Kennedale staff to create flyer, KKB members and city staff to distribute
(2 -2) Ask KISD and churches if we can hand out flyers; especially ask Rita Watley if
any of her students are interested, since some of them are required to do service
projects /volunteering
(2 -3) ask boy scouts and girl scouts if they would like to participate
(3) Recruit volunteers:
(STAFF, ASK MASTER NATURALIST IF THEY WILL TRAIN AND PROVIDE CREW
LEADERSHIP FOR INVASIVE SPECIES PLANT REMOVAL EVENTS)
(3 -1) In addition to distributing flyers, put information on website, perhaps send out
press release
(3 -2) establish city staff person or KKB person(s) responsible for keeping information
about volunteers (names, contact information, etc.)
(3 -3) create release form for the event, including emergency contact information and
verifying they've had tetanus shot
(4) Train event leaders
(4 -1) work with Master Gardeners, FWAS, Fish & Wildlife, and others as needed to
identify plants to be removed, as well as plants to be avoided (e.g., poison ivy); assign
tasks to KKB members (e.g., who will be responsible for which supplies, who will be the
meet -up person at each site to whom volunteers will report, who will be responsible for
assigning tasks to volunteers, etc.)
(4 -2) consider having a dress rehearsal of the event - Oct. 1
(5) Train volunteers
(5 -1) schedule a time either the day of the event or sometime in the week before hand
to have a training period for volunteers (e.g., learn to identify poison ivy, how to
remove plants, how to use any special tools provided, etc.)
(6) Purchase supplies
(6 -1) finish shopping list by September 26
(6 -2) purchase supplies by September 30 (there may be last- minute purchases, but it
would be best if we can have most of the shopping done in advance)
(6 -3) determine where supplies will be kept during the event (where will the "home
base" for each park's cleanup operation be ?) and who will be responsible for distributing
(6 -4) Day of event: provide lunch for volunteers (hot dogs and hamburgers /veggie
burgers cooked by mayor and city manager); perhaps have light, healthy snacks
available (on a modest scale) during the morning?
(7) Arrange for dumpster
(7 -1) find out how much it costs to have one dumpster
(7 -2) determine where dumpster will be located
(7 -3) ask IESI if they would be willing to donate the use of one dumpster
(8) Poison ivy and Poison oak: get rid of or thin out?
(8 -1) Call or email Agril-ife extension office to ask if there are IPM -based or non-
toxic (to birds, animals, beneficial insects) means of getting rid of poison ivy and
poison oak. RACHEL TO DO
(8 -1) Field trip: identify poison ivy and poison oak locations in area to be cleared
(8 -1) Arrange for cleanout (preferably by a professional but by volunteers and city
staff as needed)
Removing Invasive Species
Removing Invasive Species
Lk
What are Non - Native Invasive Plants?
Non - native invasive (NNI) plants are exotic species that are
also ecological pioneers and colonizers. They are plants
that, once introduced, can quickly establish themselves in
ecologically disturbed communities. Non - native invasive
species typically displace native flora because they have
faster growth rates, efficient dispersal mechanisms, and
tolerance of a wider range of conditions. Because they are
not normally found in the region where they have been
introduced, non - native invasive plants often lack natural
predators and diseases that control their populations in their
native environments.
Page 1 of 7
Why Should I Organize a NNI Removal Event?
Invasive plants have become recognized in recent years as a major threat to the integrity of natural areas. These
species have the ability to invade natural systems and proliferate, often dominating a community to the detriment and
sometimes the exclusion of native species. Invasive species can alter natural ecological processes by reducing the
interactions of many species to the interactions of only a few species. Introduced species may compete directly with
native species for nutrients, sunlight, and space, and indirectly by altering the food web or physical environment.
Invasive species may also prey on or hybridize with natives. Native species with limited population size or ecological
range are particularly susceptible to displacement by aggressive exotic or translocated species.
According to a 1996 report by the Nature Conservancy, invasive species have contributed to the 42 percent population
decline of threatened and endangered species in the U.S. Many also pose threats to agricultural areas, urban parks,
yards, and roadsides. While only a small percentage of the 4,000 estimated exotic plant species in the U.S. cause
problems, just 79 non - native plant and animal species have already cost the U.S, economy $79 billion. Non - native
species threaten two- thirds of endangered species worldwide, and are considered by some to be second most important
threat to biodiversity after habitat destruction.
Anywhere human disturbance of the environment has occurred, there is the potential for NNI species to colonize and
disrupt the natural environment. Some common sights include:
Vine species like English ivy and kudzu shading out and pulling down trees that had stabilized steep slopes,
creating an erosion problem;
Wetland species like purple loosestrife escaping cultivated gardens, establishing along river and stream banks
and driving out native and sometimes threatened or endangered species; and
Trees such as tree of heaven growing several feet a year and out competing native species through a toxin that it
excretes, killing other plants around it.
Developing Your Goals and Budget
Non- native invasive plant removal is not expensive to perform; unfortunately, it is a huge undertaking in most areas. It is
important for this work to set realistic goals based on the number of volunteers you have and the scope of the non - native
invasive species problem in your watershed.
Goals
You may be attempting to remove NNI species from a local park, or from your member's gardens, or you may be
targeting a stream valley where purple loosestrife is running rampant, or attempting to save a group of 200 - year -old trees
threatened by ivy. Whatever the case, you will want to write out your specific goals and let them guide your work plan.
Some example goals:
http:/ /watershedactivities.comisummer -prof ectsl invasive - species ?tmpl = component &print =... 7/14/2011
Removing Invasive Species
Page 2 of 7
Increase awareness in your watershed of the problems
associated with non - native invasive species;
Help citizens see firsthand the impact of their efforts can have
to improve habitat in your local watershed,
Encourage and empower citizens to participate in other
activities aimed at improving water quality in their watershed.
Budget
Cost
The cost associated with putting on an invasive species
removal event can be as low as the cost of your time.
Removing invasive species can provide excellent publicity for
your organization and others who helped you put it together. If
approached, businesses are often willing to cover the costs of
many of your necessary items.
Some example costs include:
Flyers – As little as $0.03 a copy (black and white). The cost
can vary depending on how many you create and if you decide
to use color.
Trash bags – Four dollars for a box of twenty.
Tipping fees – Depending on the amount of materials collected, these costs can be considerable ($400.00 or
more) however they are generally waived for cleanup events.
Food and drinks – Again it depends on the number of participants and how extravagant you want to be. Often
water, donuts, coffee, and juice will suffice.
Tools, gloves, and safety vests – You can ask participants to bring their own gloves and tools. Safety vests cost
about $10.00 a piece.
First aid kits – A good kit runs approximately $20.00.
Financing
Because it does not cost a lot of money to put together an event of this type, you may not require any help in financing
your work. If you are interested in getting some help to accomplish your goals, there are a lot of places to look for it.
Your local dump – the most expensive part of any invasive species removal are the tipping and hauling fees.
Request to have the tipping fees waived for the vehicles carrying the invasive plants you collected.
Trash collection services – you may be able to get a local trash collection service to donate their services in
picking up and hauling the plants you have removed. You can also ask the property owner if s /he will arrange for
the pickup and hauling away of the invasives you collected —after all, you just helped improve their property!
Your local government – may be able to lend you tools and gloves or may help haul away your work.
Local business people, club leaders, and government officials. Ask them to give what they can: cash,
equipment, supplies, or services. Trash bags and gloves are a must and can often be obtained as "in- kind"
donations from grocery or supply companies. Food and drinks for the workers are essential and can usually be
obtained through donations. Restaurants and local grocery stores might give you refreshments. Don't forget first
aid supplies – this activity, while not dangerous, can cause cuts and bruises!
Timeline for a Non - Native Invasive Species Removal Event
The act of removing invasives is relatively straightforward, however there is a lot of additional work that must take place
before and after the event takes place.
At least two months in advance
Determine appropriate location(s)
Get permission in writing from local government or
landowner
One month to one week in advance
Advertise the invasives removal event through as
many outlets as possible
Several days before event
Deliver flyers in the neighborhood announcing the
project
Purchase needed supplies
Create and print instruction sheets for volunteers and
informational door hangers for neighborhoods where
invasive plants will be removed
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Day before or day of the event
Deliver materials and tools to the work sites
Post event
Maintain the area where the plants were removed. Consider assigning a team of volunteers to "maintain" the
pulled area. It often takes 3 -5 years to deplete a seed bank in order to discourage the return of non - native
invasive species.
Organizing a Non - Native Invasive Species Removal Event
Establish an organizing committee: a core group of individuals dedicated to organizing and implementing the invasive
species removal day.
1. First determine location of invasive species removal and project date (remember to choose a rain date).
2. Next the committee should conduct a site visit, arrange for plant disposal, recruit volunteers, gather materials
and supplies, contact property owners, and solicit project support.
Site Selection
Determine the invasive removal project site or sites. Where you remove these pests is just as important as why you are
doing it. Volunteer participation is critical to a successful event, but site selection is almost as important. Here are a few
questions to guide you:
Where are the areas where the pest species grows out of control?
Is the area big enough to host all of your volunteers?
Is permission required to work on the land? (Landowners and parks have policies and regulations. Many parks
require that leaders be trained in plant identification before an invasive removal event is held on their property.
Please respect these policies.)
After you remove the plants, how will you dispose of them?
The goal is to increase native plant habitat and create healthy forests and watersheds — not to interfere with balanced
ecosystems. You may consider focusing on areas of special need: communities working for environmental justice, high
impact areas, land with ecological diversity, historic farmland, agricultural communities, or preserves.
Scouting
A member of the organizing committee should walk the
area 8 to 10 weeks before the event. A scouting
survey of the removal area will give a better idea about
the amount and types invasive plants volunteers to be
removed. A survey will also allow the committee to
approximate how many volunteers will be needed for
the removal event.
A member of the organizing committee should also
walk the area two weeks prior to the project date.
During this walk, the committee member should create
a series of maps that will help crews locate work
areas. The surveyor should also note whether
invasives can be hauled out on foot and if any special
equipment may be necessary.
When scouting your watershed for an invasives
removal site, consider the following factors:
Is the site safe?
Is the site accessible to volunteers (easy to enter and
exit)?
What was the site used for in the past?
Is the site too large for a single removal day or will several events be required?
Are there any sensitive areas that should be treated with care?
Are there hazardous substances present that make a stream unsuitable for an invasive species removal by
volunteers?
Project Date
Select the project date and time of the event. Determine the date 8 to 10 weeks before the event. Typically, Saturday
mornings or Sunday afternoons are the best time to schedule an event like this. Be careful to avoid a holiday weekend
or a weekend when the switch is made to and from
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Daylight Savings Time. The organizing committee should also allow adequate time for project planning and volunteer
recruitment. If equipment will be borrowed, the organizing committee should make these arrangements first, and select
a day when the equipment is available. Remember to establish a rain date!
It is very important to consider time of season when planning a removal event. DO NOT plan the event during the time
of year when the seeds are viable. The disturbance caused by the removal event may actually help the plant via seed
dispersal!
An invasive species removal event typically lasts about four hours. The organizing committee should also plan an
additional half -hour before the event for setup and a half -hour afterwards for cleanup. Additional time may be required
after the event, if a picnic or barbecue is planned.
Central Meeting Place
Locate and reserve a central meeting place. A parking lot is an ideal central meeting place, if it's not in use on the
project date. On Saturdays, school, bank, office, or church parking lots are usually empty. The organizing committee
should receive permission from the proper authorities before designating a parking lot as the central meeting place. A
letter, including the project purpose, date, time, and a promise to leave the parking lot clean, will typically receive a
favorable response.
Avoid high traffic areas and always use extreme caution. If volunteers will not have access to a restroom, seek
permission from a local business to use their facilities if necessary. If facilities are not made available through local
businesses, the organizing committee should arrange for the rental of portable facilities.
Invasive Plant Disposal
Arrange for the disposal of the removed and collected plants. Different rules may apply regarding leaving plant detritus
at different removal sites. Check with a park manager BEFORE you plan your event so you know the protocol. The
organizing committee should first contact local government officials to determine what services they can provide
including:
Removal of trash bags after the cleanup is complete;
Removal of plant material too large for trash bags;
Transportation for disposing of removed plant material.
If local officials are unable to help, the organizing committee should:
Contact the closest landfill and confirm the days and hours of operation. It may be necessary to schedule the
cleanup earlier in the day to allow enough time for delivery to the landfill;
Consult local, private companies that may be able to provide assistance.
Obtain Permission
Obtain written permission from landowners with property in the proposed work area. Venturing onto private property
without permission is trespassing; you may be subject to arrest. The organizing committee should invite the property
owner to participate in the event. If the property owner cannot participate, the organizing committee should obtain
written permission for volunteers to remove invasive plants from their land. If you are unsure of the landowner, county
tax maps, located in county planning offices, can provide property ownership information. The organizing committee can
also determine the property owner by talking to people who live close by.
Before sending the removal teams out to work, the organizing committee should emphasize the importance of staying on
public property and public roads, except where expressed permission has been given by the property owner.
Volunteer Recruitment
Recruit volunteers from your local community. Anyone can
assist in a non - native invasive species removal project.
Children under the age of 18 years should be encouraged to
participate but should have permission from parent or
guardian. The organizing committee should provide
adequate supervision: one adult supervisor for every six
children.
Group size depends on the amount of invasives and area of
land at your removal site. A removal event could involve
anywhere between five and 50 people. Consider the number
of volunteers you can effectively manage and still ensure the
enjoyment of all.
Potential volunteer sources include:
Residents
Employees of nearby businesses and industries
School groups (classes, science / ecology clubs, etc.)
Church groups or members of other places of worship
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Scout troops
Community Associations
Environmental, outdoor and sporting groups
Initiate volunteer recruitment approximately 6 weeks prior to the project date. We recommend contacting groups via
telephone and getting an announcement posted on email list serves. Event calendars (including places of worship and
organizational bulletins) and word of mouth also are effective. As a rule, 50 percent of those people who initially sign up
for an event will not actually participate. For this reason, the organizing committee should aim to recruit twice as many
people than will be needed for the project.
The organizing committee should establish a phone number (contact person) whom volunteers can call to register for the
event. When volunteers register, get their names, addresses and
telephone numbers. As volunteers respond to recruitment activities, members of the organizing committee should
advise them on what to bring and how to dress. Recommend that volunteers wear sturdy shoes or boots, clothing that
they don't mind getting dirty, work gloves, and a hat or outerwear as the weather dictates. Volunteers should also be
encouraged to use sunscreen and insect repellant.
The organizing committee should recruit, from the volunteer labor force, several field supervisors or site captains who will
assist volunteers during the collection event. Approximately one supervisor should be recruited for every 10 volunteers.
The organizing committee should host a training session for these supervisors prior to the project date, so that their role
can be defined. The organizing committee should send reminders of the date (and rain date) and time of the event, as
well as maps showing the location of the central meeting place to all registered volunteers one week before the event. If
time allows, committee members may also call the volunteers a few days before the event to confirm participation in the
seed collection.
Event Publicity
Advertise the project as much as possible. Event publicity should complement your volunteer recruitment efforts by
drafting, reproducing, and distributing fliers; drafting and distributing press releases to local newspapers and /or
organizational newsletters, and offering presentations at group meetings.
Recruitment messages should include the name, day, date and starting time of the event, the rain date, location
and directions to the central meeting place, name of the group or organization doing the work, and a contact's
name and phone number.
Recruitment messages should be enthusiastic and include a "sales pitch." A sales pitch should emphasize the
enjoyment of the activity and emphasize proximity to potential volunteers.
Use direct mail for members of the adopting group or organization and similar groups. This type of targeted
mailing will be more fruitful than a mailing to a "cold list" - individuals who may not be familiar with your activities.
Have a phone number where volunteers can call to register and include the number in all advertisements.
Refreshments and Other Rewards
Refreshments are one way to thank volunteers for their valuable time and hard work. It is recommended that the project
sponsor provide non - alcoholic beverages. If beverages will not be provided, the organizing committee should encourage
participants to bring their own. Simple refreshments (coffee and doughnuts, cookies and punch) may be offered during
registration, or as a time for volunteers to celebrate a job well done at day's -end. A picnic or a barbecue is also a nice
way to thank volunteers. Local businesses and /or the volunteers themselves (pot -luck) may be willing to donate
food /drink, coolers, cups, ice, paper goods, etc.
The organizing committee could also consider providing rewards, such as certificates, bumper stickers, tote bags, caps
or t- shirts. The committee may solicit contributions, both monetary and in -kind services, from local businesses.
Team Leader Training
As soon as you have scheduled your invasive species removal event and created your materials, it is a good idea to
schedule volunteer team leader training. Keep your training brief, informative, and fun. Be sure to cover safety, liability,
invasive plant identification, and removal methods.
The team leader's responsibilities include:
Introducing each of the volunteers and explaining their roles;
Showing volunteers the work area (if specifically marked) and /or identifying invasive plants to be removed;
Briefing volunteers on removal techniques;
Being a point of contact in case of emergency;
Informing volunteers about the availability of refreshments and location of restroom facilities, and;
Helping to clean up the removed plants.
Materials
Below is a list of materials that you may need for your event. The exact materials will depend on the type of invasive
plant that you are removing and the conditions at your particular site.
Wheel barrows
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Hand shovels
Iron rakes
Leaf rakes
Mulch
Pruning tools
Gloves
First Aid Kit
Hand cleaner
Flagging tape
Hand cleanser
Volunteer safety vests (optional)
The Invasives Removal Event
In advance of your event make sure that you
have:
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When your volunteers have arrived, have them sign and return their liability
release forms and then break them up into groups to work with a team leader.
The team leader will work with the volunteers to ensure the correct plants are
removed and that areas with sensitive species are avoided.
Provide a sign -in sheet for volunteers at the central meeting place on the day
of the event. The sheet should include spaces for the volunteer's name,
address, phone number, and email address. (Remember to provide pencils or
pens.) Volunteers who have not completed and signed a safety liability
release form must do so before participating in the invasives removal.
Nametags will help volunteers get to know each other.
Also think about introducing the event and making the connection between the
day's work and the health of your local forests and waterway. Many people
have an interest in their local streams but don't understand much about river
systems. You may wish to provide a map of your local waterway so that
people can orient themselves in the watershed and make the visual
connection between the work site and the river.
Be sure to emphasize the importance of the participants' safety before sending
them out. Make sure that the participants work in teams and that you know
where your participants are going and when they will return. Make sure to
account for your participants as they return from their assigned areas.
v r qi Pass out invasive plant identification materials and maps to specific work
sites. Also hand out the tools and collection bags to each volunteer. Finally,
brief them on removal techniques and send them out to work. Give them a
specific goal to complete because otherwise (sadly) they will likely never feel
finished. If they wish to continue after they have completed their task, ask them to help another group with their work.
Make your event as enjoyable as possible for volunteers. Consider providing music — a portable radio or two can lighten
the mood and turn the work into an enjoyable event. Locate a convenient shady spot where workers can rest, and
provide seating and refreshments.
Removal Methods
There are many different methods for non - native invasive plant removal and not all work with each species of invasive
plant or each circumstance — for example a controlled burn is not generally possible in an urban environment, or mowing
may not be possible on a steep bank. Neither of these methods is conducive to volunteer pull events and manual
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methods should be the focus of your event. Leaders should be trained in invasive plant removal methods and there
should be enough leaders to effectively oversee volunteers.
Manual Methods:
Hand pulling: Pull seedlings and small or shallow- rooted plants when soil is moist. Dig out larger plants, including
the root systems. Use a spading fork or weed wrench for trees or shrubs. To prevent spread of seeds of
undesirable ornamental plants, cut off flowers and /or seeds or fruits before they ripen then bag them and send
them to the landfill.
Cut a "window pane ": If vines growing up trees and their root systems are very large, use this method. Cut the
vine at the base of the tree and at shoulder height to create a "window pane" and remove the vines from that
area. Then remove a swath around the base of the tree. The vines above the cut area on the tree will eventually
die and fall off.
Girdling: For trees girdle the tree by cutting through the bark and growing layer (cambium) all around the trunk,
about 6" above the ground. This technique in effect starves the tree of the water and nutrients that it needs to
survive. Girdling is most effective in spring when the sap is rising, and from middle to late summer when the tree
is sending down food to the roots. Clip off re- growth.
Post Removal Work
Allow time at the end of the day for participants to relax, socialize, and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Take the time to
review the work accomplished. In doing so, you are letting your volunteers know how successful they were and giving
them a sense of pride and ownership of the work site. This will help in recruiting them later. You may even recruit
volunteers to revisit the area to keep it clear of invasives.
After the volunteers have finished their work, the job is not done. If you are bringing the removed material to the dump
yourself, leave time to load the material into trucks and to drive to the dumpsite. If someone else is going to collect the
plant material, help them do their job by bringing the material to a central location. Unless explicitly told to do so, DO
NOT DUMP CUT INVASIVE PLANTS IN THE WOODS! Doing so can actually propagate the plants further because
they often react to being cut by sending out new shoots and roots.
After the removal you should thoroughly document your work and monitor and revisit the site regularly to monitor its
recovery. You should document your work by mapping the exact location of the removal work both on a map and by
placing markers at the site. Include information on the type of invasives found at the site before removal and the degree
to which the
site was infested. Quantify the amount of invasives removed from the site (number of bags of plants, weight of materials,
or some other measure). Whatever measure you use, remember to be consistent from one removal event to the next.
Include recommendations on following up at the site with additional removal work, native planting, slope stabilization, etc.
Follow Up
After the invasives removal event, please remember to collect the sign -in sheets. Use this information to generate
certificates of appreciation for each volunteer and organization involved in the event. You can also compile the
information into a community database of individuals and organizations to facilitate networking among groups and
individuals interested in water quality issues.
Publish the photos taken during the event along with the statistics from the day's work (number of volunteers, amount of
invasives removed, size of area cleared). Contact the local media that helped you advertise before the seed collection
and share your results. Also contact the event sponsors sending them a thank -you and the results of the event. Be sure
to recognize everyone in the community who made your success possible.
When the event is completed, it is important to evaluate what you accomplished. It will help future planners to capitalize
on your successes and avoid your mistakes. But you can't wait until the end of the event to think about evaluation. An
evaluation committee should be chosen in the planning stage to monitor the entire sequence of events, noting what
worked well and what went wrong. Poll your volunteers as they leave, either by providing a questionnaire or by simply
having the team leaders ask their crews what they thought of the event. Within a week, get your committee together and
make a list of what went well, what needed improvement, and what, if anything failed completely. What problems did
they have? What would they do to improve future events? Use this information to help plan your next event so that you
continually learn from your efforts.
For more information, please visit the Summer Resources Section.
Source: Maryland Native Plant Society
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Date: August 3, 2011
Agenda Item No: B-6
Subject: Discuss and consider entering Sonora Park in the Coca-Cola second annual "America
is Your Park campaign
Originated by: Celeste Brown, Park Board Secretary
Summary: Staff received an email from the National Recreation & Park Association
informing us of the chance to win up to $100,000 Park Improvement Grant by entering out
local parks into the America's Favorite Park Campaign. Attached is a flyer with information
regarding this campaign.
Disposition by Park Board: