Reflections from a Native Landscape Apprentice
By Hannah Rodehaver, Native Landscape Apprentice
Most people ask me the same question when I tell them I work at a nature center: “What exactly do you do there..?” A little bit of everything! From removing invasive species, to growing native plants, trail maintenance, and educational field trips, I have gotten to be a part of many areas of Reflection Riding's mission to get people outside in nature and conserve the landscape.
Throughout my apprenticeship here I have gotten to learn all sorts of skills and gain basic knowledge about native and non-native plant species. I began my apprenticeship working with the land conservation crew. We focused on removing invasive species across the property last summer. We worked to remove Japanese Stiltgrass, Chinese Privet, Oriental Bittersweet, Chaste Trees, Wintercreeper, and more.
My favorite project last summer was working to remove the Microstegium vimineum, or Japanese Stilitgrass from the property. We started at the south end of the property working from up slope down to the creek. We would use backpack sprayers with a two percent glyphosate solution for a foliar application on the grass. The seeds are tracked by deer, people, and sometimes the horses, so many patches of grass were found along the trail and in the drains. The seeds can stay viable in the seed bank for up to seven years, so it was important for us to get to as much of it as we could before it set seed. This project has been in the works for five growing seasons now and I have been able to tell the difference even in the one year that I have gotten to be a part of it!
In the fall, I transitioned to working at the native plant nursery to help grow, propagate, and care for our native plants. I have now gotten to experience the whole process of collecting seeds out in the field, processing the seeds, stratifying them, sowing them in the greenhouse, and then watching them grow. I also get to help customers find the right plants for their garden by considering soil type, and sun and water availability. I get to talk to many people who are new to planting native plants in their yard and talk about the importance of native plants on our landscape!
Another big part of my job is working with volunteers. We have many volunteers that are here on a weekly basis and have been coming since before I was born! They are a huge part of our day to day operations. We have others who come in groups less frequently and are able to take on big projects like removing privet. I have taken people ages 7 through 60 to work on pulling privet out all over the property.
My favorite part of working in the nursery is watching the seedlings grow. Even after months of seeing seeds germinate I am still in awe when they pop out of the soil! I have enjoyed getting to watch spring ephemerals come up and new growth appear across the property. It is a joy and a privilege to get to work outside every day! I have loved getting to watch the landscape change and grow throughout the seasons.
“During her time here, Hannah’s passion, determination, and ever-joyful spirit made each day of work amazing- even when the work was extraneous and difficult. No matter the task, Hannah always jumped at any opportunity to support our organization, as well as each of us as individuals. Hannah is truly one of a kind and made a huge impact on our community through her excitement for hands-in-the-dirt conservation. With a contagious eagerness to learn any new skill, Hannah always followed her curiosity and simultaneously inspired both adults and children alike. ”