Projects in Canberra; Week 3

CVA is not the most organized organization….we were supposed to go away last week, an d FOR SURE this week but we didn't.Thus, this week was spent on several different projects.

Mini project 1:Planting native grasses and plants alongside Canberra's damn.The overall feeling of this project was being one with Bill Murray circa Caddyshack!Looking lovely in our gummys and wide brimmed hats, we even had the same hole-digger as he!We spent three half-days there planting.It wasn't a very picturesque setting, however, the local zoo backs up to the damn therefore we had fun gawking at the giraffes, elk, and listening to the intense roars of lions.

Mini project 2: Pruning or as I like to call it "Tree Styling" & tree poisoning at a local park.After our mornings spent at the damn, we came to a local park to do some matienence work.We first cut out and poisoned non-native or invasive trees/weeds.We then pruned the surrounding trees to provide a more safe and aesthetically pleasing experience for those utilizing the bike/walking path.

Mini project 3: Landscaping at a local high school (6th-10th Grades) Our role at this particular school was to dig trenches for railroad ties (to discourage skateboarders from trampling the landscaping), load wheelbarrows of mulch, spread the mulch, and finally plant and water various trees and flowers.It was two days of extremely hard work!Digging the trenches was like banging mattocks into cement, not to mention digging in 90+ weather wears you out pretty quickly.Between the digging and repetitive motion of slinging mulch around I developed a few pretty good kinks in my back.All in all it felt good to get some good hard work in BUT what I know for sure is…the high schoolers were lovely J for a couple of days but I'm defiantly meant to work with the little ones!

Projects in Canberra; Week 4

And we're off….we finally have an away project.Our project is working a couple hours northeast of Canberra at Kurrawatha Nature Reserve.Kurrawatha Nature Reserve was bought seven years ago from a family with thousands of surrounding acres of farm land.Thus the reserve is still transitioning from farm land to a reserve.Our jobs were to repair fences, take down fences, and water trees.

Upon our arrival into town it was quite clear this was an incredibly small population; I suppose everyone really does know everyone in a town less than a hundred.Needless to say you could tell everyone took note of our presence when cutting through the "Main St." up to our humble abode.

Our humble abode aka the crack shack was not too warm and cozy looking considering there were Danger: Asbestos signs all over the outside.We were told the asbestos would not be a problem so long as the walls were not bothered.Oh, and upon pulling up we saw our beloved restroom, a port-o-potty on wheels, better than some I've had but still leaving me once again appreciating home.And the home truly is a "recovering crack shack", its former occupant was a user now in jail…although it didn't look like he'd been gone to long, and apparently it's where the local teens like to break in from time to time.

For the final time…our group as per usual found humor in it all, tried our best to adapt, and make the best of the situation….which was very trying considering the temps. Were between 90-112 and you know we didn't have AC.We did however have quite the insect and spider collection, this was learned during our first night at dinner when it seemed as though all of the insects from the reserve were flying and crawling around the house.From then on we either ate earlier or ate with the lights off!That didn't seem to deter the critters 100 % as I still slept with a fly net over my head and a fitted sheet around my body and still had to swipe the lovelies from my body…needless to say I was very hot during this week.

Our project went well…at many moments during my time in Australia I had to stop and just laugh at myself some of those moments during this project were….wire cutting portions of fence while poisonous red back spiders were right next to me…walking heavy pails of water 50 yds. at a time to water plants that don't look alive and if they are who knows when they'll see h2o again…having a bbq in the backyard of a local pub because that was the only place with a grill…sweeping carpet…amongst many others!