I just completed my first week as George Perkins Marsh Intern. I began a week later than the other 3 because I was working on a reforestation initiative in Costa Rica. The week began with a tour of the park and introductions to all of the staff. We then immediately jumped in to pulling invasive species. On Tuesday, we pulled Buckthorn along the Pony Trail. Wednesday we made the trek over to the Bridgewater Village School to work with OCISMA to pull invasive species around the border of the playground. We pulled Japanese Barberry, a hospitable plant for mice and ticks, making it a breeding ground for Lyme Disease. We also pulled Multiflora Rose, non-native Honeysuckle, and Burdock.
Following a few days of hard work we joined the Interpretive crew for the weekend. I spent the morning roving the trails and checking counters. It is important for us to have a presence throughout the park. Otherwise, people might wander through all day and never see an employee. While walking from the Visitor Center up around the Pogue and to the summit of Mt. Tom we saw 57 people. Following a quick lunch I was the Mansion Steward for a few hours then joined Amanda at the Billings Farm Info Desk informing visitors about the park. I spent Saturday morning in the Mansion where the bulk of my time was devoted to attempting to keep the Mansion cool. With 80+ degree temperatures outside it was difficult to keep the Mansion at a comfortable temperature for guests. Next week we are planning to visit Saint Gaudens National Historic Site to learn about the park and help them polish the Shaw Memorial for a big event they have coming up. The memorial is dedicated to the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, which was the first African American unit to serve in the Civil War. We are also planning at visit to VINS to work on the trails with the Rivers and Trails.