Red-Tailed Eyas and Gray Wolf Pups Work Together

As an organization, Boys Explorers Club has an impact on the land. We spend a lot of time off trail, building shelters, harvesting carving wood, and generally just spending time in the forest. We try to tread lightly, using game trails when possible, picking up trash as we go, harvesting plants only when they are abundant enough to support it, and taking care of places we visit. In the end, though, there is no way to explore a place without leaving some trace and having at the very least a small impact. Our outings at the Connelly Creek service site are our opportunity to leave a positive impact on the land and really dedicate a day to leaving a place much better then we found it.

The Gray Wolf Pups and Red-Tailed Eyas had the perfect day to be out at the service site, warm weather and sunshine. We started our day with a big opening circle focused on getting to know the other group a little bit and talking for a few minutes about tool safety and usage. Since both the Gray Wolf Pups and Red-Tailed Eyas are seasoned Explorers group the opening circle went quickly and smoothly. Soon we joined the third group, The Alevin, at the service site to get to work. The Gray Wolf Pups and Red-Tailed Eyas got to work quickly on chopping blackberries and removing their roots. 

All the boys worked in a focused and efficient manner for a couple of hours before they even started to talk about taking a break. Soon the boys started to trickle off for a well deserved lunch break in the sunny field. The boys were all tired, but proud of their work as they are lunch and surveyed what they had accomplished that morning. After lunch We called them back over to put in a solid effort before it was time to pack up and leave.

We spent the last hour cleaning up all the trimmings of blackberries so they would not reroute themselves and then stomping down and spreading mulch over the reid canary grass. The work of spreading mulch was gratifying and was a nice reward after the hard work of clearing blackberries. As we spread the mulch the site was looking better and better and less like an overgrown jungle. Soon it was time to put in our last few minutes of effort and then end the day. 

We had a really nice closing circle in the sunny field and admired all the work that we had done. All the boys had really positive and sincere things to share in closing circle and all expressed their enthusiasm for service outings. It was a really powerful day with a lot of great work being done by all of us.Thank you Red Tailed Eyas and Grey Wolf Pups for all your hard work and enthusiasm. Parents next time you are close by have your explorer show you they service site so you can see how much they have put into this spot and don’t let them tell you they can’t do yard work. Be sure to check out the Grey Wolf PupPhoto Gallery and the Red Tailed Eyas Photo Gallery for more outing photos!

         

Daredevil's Club & Red Tailed Eyas do great work!

Two and a half years of service in the same place. Wow. I haven’t even spent more than two years in the same place! The Daredevil’s Club and Red Tailed Eyas have been doing more service in the same place than they may even realize.

Remember when we started? Himalayan Blackberry taller than us, right at the trail. Car parts, a cat skull, a swing set, a makeup case, countless bottles and cans. For a couple of boys this WAS the first start at this service site. Wherever we start, let’s track our progress over time.

Now we can easily walk into the park. The blackberry border is keeping itself at bay. The reed canarygrass, once as thick and tall as a forest, is now under eight inches of mulch nearly 100 feet across. The maple tree is growing and budding much lower down, now that seven feet of blackberry is no longer trailing upward its branches…

Before the rest of this blog post continues, I’d like to remind everyone about the backpacking trips available this summer. Boys in both of these groups are eligible to go on various summer excursions. These trips were designed for boys of these ages in lieu of day camps. Please contact us if you have any questions about how these trips are incredible opportunities for your boys to capitalize on what they experience during their fall and spring seasons. THANKS!

Parents, please take a moment to track the history of our service at this site by clicking on the “tag links” below: Connelly Creek. You’ll see how the place has changed over time due to hundreds (dare I say thousands) of Explorer hours poured into Happy Valley park. And you’ll also see how your sons have changed over time too:

As the blackberry’s presence shrinks, Red Tailed Eyas and Daredevil’s Club Explorers’ statures have grown. Explorers now transform their boyhood innocence through focused service as they care for the tender, new plants that we put in the ground last autumn. The reed canarygrass has been trimmed way down whereas most boys’ hair has grown out of control!

The Daredevil’s Club has improved their role modeling and showed the Red Tailed Eyas how to work together and do service. They inclusively mentored boys two years younger than them. Some groups might have shrugged off a younger group but the DDC were kind to the Eyas and helpful too. Though they occasionally got sidetracked by birds or adolescent conversation, DDC explorers set a good example. As a group they have improved a lot since last year.

Red Tailed Eyas were keenly watching the older Explorers. They kept a strong work ethic throughout the outing. In fact, in their last hour, RTE boys transitioned from moving mulch to blackberry removal. Instead of waning toward the end of the outing, Red Tailed Eyas found energy reserves and used focused intention to use loppers, hand clippers, and rakes to free a cedar tree branch from climbing Himalayan blackberry vines deep into the service site. Impressive!

In the end, both groups can reflect on the following: Firstly, they might put a lot of road construction workers to shame! The joke is that these professionals spend a lot of time standing around—one person working while four others watch. Though that isn’t necessarily true (only when I drive by :) ) it made for a good reference point. All Explorers were working during the outing. Although some of us were standing around at different times, it is because we moved so quickly that someone was always waiting for the next group in the process.

Taking breaks IS VERY IMPORTANT. In fact, the Red Tailed Eyas played a game and then had a sit spot before going back for their blackberry work. Without these intention rest times and separation from work, we cannot do a good job. I think it’s important to take breaks and to have fun in between stretches of working hard.

Without the rest/work contrast, our work becomes overpowering and I would venture to say that the quality of work diminishes. We adults would be wise to constantly remember about the importance of transitions, breaks, and rest so we can do our work as accurately as possible. And not only in our paid jobs but in our time dedicated to family and community.

You can see pictures from the outing on the website by checking theDaredevil’s Club photo gallery.

We’ll see both of these groups again on SUNDAY, MAY 17TH.

Daredevils Club- we’ll see you on at Samish Woods Montessori so we can board Stubbs and make the journey out to Point Whitehorn!

Red Tailed Eyas- we’ll see you in the “refrigerator of Bellingham” as we explore Arroyo Park. BUT PLEASE NOTE the DROP-OFF point is at NORTH CHUCKANUT MOUNTAIN TRAILHEAD!

Thank you for the opportunity to be your nature-connection mentors. We truly value these experiences and look forward to each outing with you Explorers and your families!

Planting Red Alders at Connelly Creek with the Red Tailed Eyas and Gray Wolf Pups

We arrived at Connelly Creek service site under dark clouds but no rain for our last service outing of the Fall season. for the last month there has been four groups of Explorers working on this site every weekend. The transformation of this land has been amazing to watch and be a part of. This final outing of service for the Fall season was such a great way for the Red Tailed Eyas and the Grey Wolf Pups to not only see all the work that groups before them had done, but also to put in the final push of work before we leave this site until Spring. Our task today was to plant the seven 10ft tall Red Alders that the Parks Department had left for us. We needed to dig holes for every tree, set up supports, and finally cage in and mulch around the base of the trees.

While we waited for the Grey Wolf Pups the Red Tailed Eyas had a discussion about one of the main species that is affected by the work that we do; the Salmon. The Alders are great nitrogen fixers for the soil as well as providing shade to stunt the invasive reed canary grass. The boys had some really insightful observations on what makes good habitat for salmon and how our work is benefiting habitat.  

When the Grey Wolf Pups arrived the combined energy of the two groups swept us into productive work. Digging holes, throwing mulch, finding roots, clearing Reed Canary grass, moving Red Alders, setting up cages, massaging roots, laughing, new friends, dirty hands, more holes, and plenty of strong work.

The power of having two Explorers groups work together is so tangible when doing this work at Connelly Creek; So much hard work and new connections with each other. After a solid few hours of work the Red Alders were no longer laying on their sides in a pile, but instead happily standing in freshly dug and mulched holes. It was really amazing to look around and see a miniature forest of Red Alder saplings instead of the Reed Canary grass that had carpeted the ground previously.

As the Red Tailed Eyes left the Grey Wolf Pups geared up to spread the last of the mulch that remained. A forty five minute explosion of work from the Grey Wolf Pups left the previously mountainous mulch pile a mere bump on the land. At this point the focus was gone and the group was ready to explore. Even on these days that are focused on a strong ethic of service work it is important for these boys to have time to explore the land. As these boys Explore the land around the service site they learn more about what the land needs and how the work they are doing affects it.

As the energy from the exploration came down the Grey Wolf Pups came back in wet and muddy from the creek, scrapped by the blackberries, and excited by all their discoveries. We packed up and settled into a closing meeting. While going around and giving thanks for the day I was touched to hear so much appreciation for the day. Many boys voiced their thanks for the land and our opportunity to give back to it. Peter asked the explorers; Who does this service benefit and how does it affect us? Some explorers pondered this questions as they finished the last of their apple slices. The salmon? The neighbors? the community of bellingham? the deer? the Trees? us? After a while a few explorers said this work benefits everyone. We all seemed to agree with this explanation.

Thank you Red Tailed Eyas and Grey Wolf Pups for all your hard work at connelly creek. It was a true pleasure to work alongside all of you. Parents please talk your sons into taking you back to this site to see all their hard work. This time of year is a great opportunity to see it before the mud season truly begins. Please check out our photo gallery 

The Red-Tailed Eyas Service Outing at Connelly Creek with the Raccoon Kits

The Red-Tailed Eyas met at the Connelly Creek Site last Saturday to continue building their relationship through service with the land. The Boys Explorers Club would like to take a moment to thank the City of Bellingham Parks and Rec Department and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) for providing mulch, plants, debris removal, and tools. Without the support and guidance from the volunteer coordinators Rae, Phoebe, and Ellen our transformative work would not be possible.

As the Explorers gathered dark and ominous rain clouds loomed over our heads. The Red-Tailed Eyas were not daunted however, this well-seasoned bunch has weathered their fair share of storms and standing there they looked very prepared and collected. Meandering over to our service site we circled up to talk about the day. Mentors explained that the group would be working with another group, the Raccoon Kits, who would be arriving in a half an hour. For the Raccoon Kits it would be their first time ever at the Connelly Creek Site. These younger boys would be looking to them for guidance and support. The group committed to modeling their interpretation of what it meant to be in good relationship with the land and what it meant to be a Mentor.

The Red-Tailed Eyas first task as elder Explorers was to remind the Raccoon Kits of the principals of the Art of Camouflage. Hearing the laughter and splashes across the creek the Eyas crawled through the dense vegetation and tucked themselves away.

As the group spread out over the site they crouched close to the muddy soil and became quiet. Sitting still the boys noticed the young Explorers were not the only ones moving about. Rufus Hummingbirds buzzed around the Black Twinberry and Spotted Towhee called out their songs of spring. The group sat for about thirty minutes in silence with a keen awareness of their surroundings.

Then from their hiding spots they saw the first of the Raccoon Kits arrive. The Raccoon Kits slowly searched the site with their best Owl Eyes but they did not find very many of them. Once all the boys were to the site Greg and Matt gave a Crow Call and the Red-Tailed Eyas emerged from the underbrush. The Raccoon Kits and Mentors laughed because some of the Explorers they missed were very close to the trail.

After gathering our lunches the group merged into one large circle and we went around and shared our names. As we snacked the Mentors demonstrated how NOT to use tools. It’s a good thing they were joking otherwise they might be a few fingers and teeth short heading back home! Then we reviewed how to safely use the tools and we got to work.

The older Eyas showed exemplary character and leadership as they guided the younger Explorers in the tasks for the day. One group of boys set out trimming Reed Canary Grass, while others dug Blackberry roots, lopped Blackberry stems, cut them up, and removed non-grass debris. Boys of all ages showed distinct focus and commitment to the projects in which they were involved. Mentors were humbled to see the cross-group and multi-aged collaboration. One Explorer stopped for a second to relish in the work being done and the process of cooperation that he knows all of these boys have inside their hearts.

Sawing off a broken Willow branch the group harvested its canes. Planting the willow sections into the freshly tilled soil teams worked to spread three-foot mulch rings around their bases. Saturday was a shining example of our motto,Many Hands Make Light Work.

After some solid service the group put down their tools, bid the Raccoon Kits farewell, and grabbed their packs. Sitting in the grass we shared apples and gave thanks for the day. The boys gave thanks for all the tools that helped us do our work, for the opportunity to collaborate with the Raccoon Kits, for all the animals that moved through the site, and for the opportunity to be together.

These boys stepped into the space with open and willing hearts and with caring attitudes while serving the land. They asked nothing in return and received the satisfaction of teamwork and a job well done. Thanks for your great work Red-Tailed Eyas. Parents, thank you for supporting these Explorers and for giving them the chance to serve the land with us.

These pictures and the photo gallery will tell the rest of this story, but the best thing to do would be to revisit the area with your Explorer so he can guide you along the work that he did. The sooner you get out there, the more prominent the changes will br. With 10 groups visiting this season, we have made quite an impact already. The next outing will be the last one of the season; The Art and Skill of Fire on June 1^st at North Galbraith Mountain Trailhead.

Serving Connelly Creek with the Red Tailed Eyas

A grey, cold cloud layer drifted high in the sky as the Red Tailed Eyas flew into Connelly Creek for a day of service. Immediately the boys took to the creek, exploring in and around the edges. Mentors framed the day for the Explorers who were excited to pursue the voices (from another group) that emanated from the other side of the creek.

On the way we explored the idea of healthy salmon habitat. In order to spawn, they need clear, cold, and clean water. So our job would be to help that happen. By removing some non-native plant species, we would make room for the native species to flourish and provide the stable soil and shady places needed around the creek area. We compared one side of the bridge, where work has already been done, to our side—we certainly have our work cut out for us!

Red Tailed Eyas recognized some friends as we came across the Grey Fox Kits, an Explorers Club group slightly younger than us. They had already been there for an hour and we were excited to work alongside them in this joint service endeavor. Eventually they phased out and we got even more involved in removing Himalayan blackberry and Reed Cannarygrass.

But that’s not all. We found car parts, a hose and even a play set ladder! Along with our rubbish pile we removed had a lot of organic matter including some of the biggest blackberry root balls known to humans! OK, that is a slight exaggeration. But the important thing to note is that the Explorers really did the important foundation work for re-establishing a healthy ecosystem—starting with the soil. Please ask your Explorer to show you the site sometime. They work that they have done is truly impressive.

Along with the great service efforts, we played games and transferred our energy from work to play throughout the day. We played Deer O Deer Come Run through My Forest and even a variation on our favorite game, Hide, calledHide-Tag. We tromped through the land, enjoyed snacks, and climbed trees. It is important that we celebrate the land and appreciate it through engagement and activities. Otherwise we aren’t as interested in doing service. The play and the work go hand-in-hand; we can’t have one without the other. This mentor hopes we all remember to balance our work with our play.

This service project is becoming part of the Boys Explorers Club culture. We adopted the stream thanks to partnerships with City of Bellingham andNooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. By lending us tools and providing guidance, we really have a chance to connect with our community. Now that a huge culvert under Old Fairhaven Parkway has been removed, salmon will be heading up to our stretch of stream soon. In fact, neighbors reported seeing fish a couple weeks ago. Our work is valuable to the salmon, the Happy Valley community, and to our own Boys EC community. Together we build and strengthen a personal stewardship ethic while providing more space for our swimming, scaled friends.

The last piece to recognize is that the Red-Tailed Eyas are the sixth group to do work here this season. From last spring through now, there have been ten outings here at four hours each. When we start to multiply these numbers by 12 participants per group and add mentors and other volunteer contributions, we are talking about a big project. We have removed tremendous amounts of non-native plant material in this amount of time. We have a long way to go, but we are making noticeable headway. We should remember the Explorers Clubmotto, Many Hands Light Work. We can see it in action at our Connelly Creek service site.

Explorers, thanks again for your great work. You should be proud of your teamwork! Parents, thank you for your support of these great boys and of the BEC community. It is always a pleasure to see you when our paths cross! Please check out more pics in the photo gallery and we’ll see you for the final outing of the season when we meet at Samish Woods Montessori on November 24th. Click here for more info.