Students work to maintain local wildlife refuge

A Mt. Scott student service project group is working hard to help maintain a unique urban park.

Named after a species of native sunflower, Beggars-tick Wildlife Refuge is a 20-acre seasonal wetland (located just off the Springwater Corridor Trail) that offers a variety of animal and plant life. The park's natural diversity makes each visit a completely different experience in different seasons.

Mt. Scott students' work at Beggars-tick also differs from month to month and is guided by professional biologists and rangers from Metro. Metro staff provide all the gear to keep students and staff dry, safe, informed, and having a good time while they work.

During the rainy winter months, water covers the lowlands of the refuge, transforming it into a lush wetland. It quickly becomes a home for a variety of wintering birds. As water recedes under sunny skies, the refuge is transformed again. The ground beneath your feet (which had been either muddy or flooded) turns dry and springy, and the diversity of wildlife and native plant species becomes apparent.

Biodiversity is in action at this site and Mt. Scott students and staff are working to protect it. They're learning about the plants, animals, and other life forms, witnessing the changes in the ecosystem, removing invasive species, planting native species, and generally helping keep the refuge beautiful.

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