By: Amanda Tarrach, Outreach & Engagement Intern
This past summer, I wanted to become more connected with nature and expand my personal experience of the healing it has to offer. I wasn’t sure where to start, I mean I’d go on walks in beautiful local parks, and it was very enjoyable. These parks offered not only a wide variety of paths to take, but beautiful views such as lakes and forests. I enjoyed people watching and observing how individuals all react to nature differently. However, not that I got bored of these landscapes, but I wanted to try something new in addition to walks, I really wanted to fill some type of purpose while rewilding.
I met up with a friend who was able to give me the opportunity to volunteer a couple hours on a local, small farm in Marlton, NJ. Farming on 27 acres of land, my friend and his cousin work in the summer to provide local fruits, vegetables, and flowers to the community through a road stand. In the end of spring, I was able to disk a field and understand how the soil type matters to what will be planted, in this case deer corn. I spent some time observing how the two would go about planting what where, and how. Endless difficulties were faced as there were issues with the tractor, materials being used, and stubborn deer who couldn’t keep their mouths off the crops. This fall, I spent some time volunteering by cutting firewood, as well as tying up cornstalks to be sold to local businesses. It was while smelling the wood and observing the tiny creatures living around the corn stalks that I felt at peace. There are endless types of insects that make these acres their home and I could understand why we need rewilding.
It isn’t just in these 27 acres that biodiversity exists, but in all forests and local reserves that must be protected. I found that fully immersing myself with nature helped me most understand why I chose my career path. To be an advocate for even the tiniest of creatures within fields and to be a protector for the ecosystem.
Let’s get WILD New Jersey!
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