Woodland Restoration Day

Join us in our ongoing efforts to restore our wooded acres back to a thriving native ecosystem.  This is a volunteer event where we will be using hand tools to remove invasive plants (primarily woody varieties, including multi-flora rose and bush honeysuckle).  This will be a great opportunity to become familiar with some of the most common invasive plants in this region as well as learning some of the native species.

We will meet at 10:30am, get started by 10:45 and take a lunch break around 12:30pm.  After lunch, we will continue working until 3pm (no problem if you need to leave early).

Lunch is on us!

Snacks and a vegetarian lunch will be provided.  Give us a heads up if you have any special dietary restrictions so that we may accommodate you!

Physical Requirements

No invasive removal experience is necessary for this work day, however the tasks do take a little bit of physical endurance and strength.  Sawing or cutting invasive woody shrubs and canes at their bases requires squatting close to the ground, so workers on this task need flexibility and good joints.  An herbicide may be used as a stump treatment but we will primarily pull or dig up the plants and their roots whenever possible.

What to Bring

Bring a bottle of drinking water and appropriate clothing for the weather.  We recommend wearing footwear with good tread, and a brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face.  Please bring a good pair of gloves (leather or rubber coated) and, if you have them, any clippers, light handsaws or shovels (If you don’t, we have some tools and extra gloves to share).  Poison ivy and bugs should not be a problem.

Leader: Aimee Gaines

Aimee received a crash course on invasive plant management while working as a seasonal park aid with the Arc of Appalachia in 2017.  She is the owner/founder of Fruitdale Farm and prioritizes the restoration of the woodland area as a crucial part of the farm's mission.  Aimee enjoys playing outside, gardening, building, cooking, yoga and lots more.  She always looks forward to an opportunity to get outside and connect new people.

Questions?

Please contact Aimee Gaines with any questions at info@fruitdalefarm.com or (740) 649-4945.

Directions

779 Moxley Rd Bainbridge, OH 45612

Fruitdale Farm is located in Ross County in south central Ohio, approximately 25 miles west of Chillicothe, and 20 miles east of Hillsboro, 8 miles north of Bainbridge and 6 miles south of Greenfield.  It lies one mile west of State Route 41 on Moxley Road. We will meet at Aimee's house.  Look for a gray mailbox with 779 across from a gravel driveway that slopes downhill into the woods to the small wooden house.  Parking here is limited.  Extra parking is available a couple of driveways down, at 671 Moxley where there is a green farm gate and the number 671 on the fence post.  Please park in the grass to the left after entering the gate.