On the warm morning of October 15th, 2016 I attended the Mount Moriah Cemetery clean-up and ecological restoration event hosted by the Friends of Mount Moriah. I was quite surprised by the size of the actual cemetery. Also, I was surprised to see how much of the cemetery was inaccessible due to it being overgrown with weeds and other species of plants and trees. The Friends of Mount Moriah were extremely kind people who gave information over the cemetery and made this event on to remember.

1. 
   What course concepts did you see in action?
1. This event at Mount Moriah is classified as a clean-up/ecological restoration event. Mount Moriah has been overrun by invasive plants and species due to the cemetery being closed and not properly maintained since 2011. Mount Moriah is a massive green space the spans over 200 acres. There are many different species of plants and animals that inhabit Mount Moriah and take advantage of the resources it has to over. Cobbs creek runs through the cemetery which is a source of water for animals and is home to different species of small fish and other aquatic wildlife. In addition to the ecosystem services the creek provides, plants, shrubs, and trees provide both food, shade, and shelter to the wildlife that resides within Mount Moriah cemetery.  
2. What did you do? – be very specific – include plant names, soil types, names of groups and  individuals.
1. Upon arriving at the worksite at Mount Moriah cemetery, my group which consisted of me, Effi, Caroline, Cian, Pierce, and Veronyca, were assigned to a plot of land which needed to be tended to. After we gathered our tools (rake, shovel, and loopers), we began to remove the invasive plants which had been sprayed with roundup before our arrival.  It’s important to note that the soil was very dry and brittle as a result of the roundup. As a group, we removed most of the thorn bushes, tree stumps, wood chips, and other weeds from our site. After raking the plants and cutting old roots, we received instructions from professor Benisek on how to properly plant plants. This process involved digging a deep enough hole for the plant while also having some of the base being above the hole. After placing the dirt back in the hole, water is poured in the hole and on the soil for the plant to absorb. The final steps included placing wooden stakes and wire fencing around the plant in order to protect it from the local wildlife such as deer. Our group was given on lilac plant and an unmarked plant. Using the process we were shown, our plants were successfully planted. Lastly, after the bushes were planted, we cleaned our area of any trashed, thanked the Friends of Mount Moriah, and returned to Temple University.
   
   
3. What do you think the impact will be?
1. I believe that the work that was put in by everyone who volunteered in this ecological restoration event will have a positive impact on Mount Moriah Cemetery. Because the many sections of Mount Moriah are non-accessible due to it being overrun with vegetation, our work cleared up an area to the public. Additionally, we improved the aesthetic quality of the park. Now more people will be inclined to walk through the area because, in place of the weeds and shrubs, there are now trees and other plants growing, which will be more aesthetically pleasing.
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4. How can you continue your involvement with this urban greening issue?
1. The Friends of Mount Moriah regularly host ecological restoration events at Mount Moriah. Although with the help of the other students and group members, we only cleared a small section of the cemetery. There are still many acres in the cemetery that are blocked off to the public because they are inaccessible. After the experience I had during this clean-up, I am likely to return and assist the Friends of Mount Moriah.
5. How do people contribute to situations or problems you experience in the field?
1. After the cemetery closed in 2011, it became abandoned. With no one to maintain the landscape, vegetation grew freely. Invasive plants out-competed other plants and caused damaged to the ecosystem. After the cemetery was abandoned, it became a site for dumping. Many people came to Mount Moriah to dispose of their trash such as car parts, mattresses, and some even abandoned their dogs. Even today this is still an issue as there are tires, knocked over headstones, plastic bags, and broken glass littered across the cemetery. Trash obviously has a negative effect on the ecosystem as it can introduce harmful chemicals into the soil and cause fatalities to the local animals.  

During our lunch break, I caught up with Bud, a member of the Friends of Mount Moriah and I asked him, "Does the volunteer work we accomplished today have a big impact on the restoration of the cemetery?"

https://youtu.be/zc-djHOqzRY

*The abundance of plant life in this photo is what Bud is referring to when he states, "It took all summer to get to this point because this used to look like that".

Mount Moriah Ecological Restoration

Mount Moriah Cemetery
10.15.16
9am-2pm

1. What course concepts did you see in action?

The plant, soil and water relationships was very pronounced considering the meadow-like parts of the cemetery, the heavily wooded areas, Cobbs creek and any wild life growing naturally. It was also easy to see the ecosystem services that the plants were contributing to from the provisioning of shade, food and shelter for wildlife to the climate regulating to the spiritual and aesthetically pleasing nature of the path that wrapped around and through the cemetery. It was also apparent that the city never quite recovered from the industrial period considering the vacant buildings, warehouses and lots around the perimeters of the city. We contributed to the urban citizenship of this land in order to maintain a forsaken land and the energy flow was clear for us to see. We saw producers (plants) , consumers (animals) and decomposers (invasive species, worms and fungi) first hand. This land was so rich in biodiversity that although it may have looked unkept, the plans for the cemetery showed a necessity for areas to be self maintaining and the reduction of hands on maintenance because of its vast size.

2. What did you do? – be very specific – include plant names, soil types, names of groups and individuals

Once we arrived at the site, we all received our groups plot and picked up tools accordingly. For the first half of the work day i used the rake to clean some of the invasive species from graves, helped uproot dead plants, and created piles for pick up. Mark also used the rake to clear most of the debris, Effie, Caroline and Cian used the loppers to cut the larger stems, and the thorn bushes, and Pierce used the hedge trimmers to cut the larger roots and brush to make it easier to rake. We seemed to be clearing rather fast so we took a lunch break with the group, after the break we went back to our plots for about a half hour and then Kate showed us how to plant a tree. After watching Kate we returned to our plots with our plants and started to plant. Mark began digging the holes, Pierce went to get water, the cage and mallet for the posts. After Caroline and Effie watered the newly planted (unmarked) species, I added the cage and sealed the edges. Pierce and mark inserted the posts and hammered them into the group to ensure the plant's safety from deer and weather. After this, we cleaned up our areas and walked back to the bus.

3. Speculate: what do you think the impact will be?

The obvious impact is working in the beautification process and the clearing of invasive species. Hopefully out clearing was effective and the new plants that stand will mature and provide a whole list of ecosystem services. Some of the group planted trees which will mature to provide shade, regulate the air and provide for animals. The plants will also serve as a new part of the meadow-like cemetery and add beauty and habitats for insects and animals to thrive in this area.

4. What did you do at the event that made you feel that you made a difference and why?

I did not originally think that i would feel like i made a difference when i arrived but as i left, i had a whole new perspective. I think the most inspiring part was that the people we essentially “freed” from the over grown bush can never thank us and that we did not participate in order to get any grand gesture in return. Most of us will never visit that spot again but we can expect that in 50 years our plants will mature, our trees will grow and this spot will be easily accessible for any living relatives that may want to come and visit their loved one. As one of the friends said, she visits almost 5 days a week and anything that makes it a little easier and happier during these visits is worth it. In reality, maybe no one will ever go to this spot again but we have peace of mind that we helped resurface graves that had been covered for decades and centuries. We were an active part of history and the changing landscape of the cemetery.

5. How do people contribute to situations or problems you experience in the field?

We were all made aware of the past of this cemetery and the issues it had faced. The human impact can be seen almost anywhere you look. There is trash littered around, tires stacked  in piles, broken glass, kicked over headstones, opened vaults, debris left from people squatting and living in the cemetery and it isn't that shocking considering the immediate area surrounding the cemetery. We saw multiple boarded up homes, trash and extreme poverty in this area. On the other side of Philadelphia, it is more of a forgotten land because of its proximity to center city. If the cemetery had a grounds crew, trashcans, bathrooms and was made of more of a public space, the intense dumping and trashing of the cemetery may not have happened but there is no way to know for sure.

1.What​ ​course​ ​concepts​ ​did​ ​you​ ​see​ ​in​ ​action? 

Mount Moriah Cemetery Ecological Restoration -Effi Booth-

On October 15^th, 2016 I attended the Mount Moriah Cemetery clean-up and ecological restoration event, held by the Friends of Mount Moriah. Upon arrival, I was amazed at how absolutely large the cemetery actually was. I was also amazed at the fact that most of the graves were actually hidden by the overgrowth of plants and invasive species. 

We began by breaking all of the volunteers (approximately 35-40 people) into groups of about 5-7 individuals. I teamed up with my blog group, and we were given “plot 19.” We each grabbed various tools that would be needed for the initial clean-up, such as shovels, rakes, and hedge cutters. I used the hedge cutters in the beginning half of the event to cut the bottoms of the overgrown weeds, plants, and various invasive species that were growing around as well as on top of various grave sites and head stones so that those with the rakes could easily rake away such weeds and plants. Before we began, it was a huge mess. 

Everywhere you looked you saw overgrown brush. 

However, I must say, that after we finished the clean-up segment, our plot already looked vastly different. You could actually see the ground, and many of the previously hidden head stones (some were unfortunately knocked over and could not be fixed due to safety hazards of the students.) After we finished the clean-up, we began planting species that were wanted in the area. My particular group planted lilac shrubs. We began by digging a hole, and then we extracted the shrubs from the pots they were in when given to us. We then poured water into the soil where we put the shrubs, filled the hole back in with the dirt we dug up, and watered the plants once more. We finished by putting a rolled up small fence around the plant with a piece of wood to keep it steady. We did this to prevent the wildlife present at the cemetery, such as deer, from eating the freshly planted shrubs. It was such interesting experience to hear the friends of Mount Moriah speak about why they dedicate so much of their time to the effort of cleaning up and maintaining the cemetery. One particular quote that stood out to me was from another volunteer with the organization, Bud. I distinctly remember Bud posing a question to the rest of the students, “would you want your mother buried here?” That quote really struck home for me, as I would want nothing but commitment to my mother’s burial site. I was not entirely sure of what to expect from my first urban greening stewardship experience. When I first saw the area my group would be responsible for cleaning, maintaining, and planting, I was nervous. It seemed like a lot to get done in such short time. However, after we started working it was not as nearly as time consuming or labor intensive as I had previously speculated. The photographs to the left show what our given plot looked like prior to our restoration.

I actually enjoyed it because I knew we were making a difference, whether it was small or large. I could also feel the pure appreciation from the Friends of Mount Moriah, which made the work even easier, and helped me feel like I was making a difference. I believe everything I did throughout the event seemed to be an effective service to others. My group and I were determined to make many peoples’ final resting places cleaner, more peaceful, and easier for future volunteers to maintain which I found important to do since the creation of Mount Moriah was centered around the idea of giving those buried there a peaceful resting place outside of the smog infested city with perpetual care. Through this experience I saw a lot of what we have been discussing in class. Each group planted various species which will provide numerous ecosystem services when they reach maturity, such as: provisioning (food), regulating (climate regulation), supporting (nutrient cycling), and cultural services (aesthetic, spiritual.) Also, the Friends of Mount Moriah were in a sense recycling waste products, as they gathered all of our piles of invasive species, unwanted overgrown weeds and brush, and many sticks into a large pile that they are planning on using for a community bonfire. And of the course, actually taking part in a real ecological restoration through removal of invasive species, and planting. The photograph to the left is the area we were given after we completed our removal of invasive species.

Below is a video of a quick interview I did with a volunteer of Friends of Mount Moriah, Bud. In the video I asked him what he thought the positive impacts of the student volunteering had on the cemetery. 

Interview with volunteer Bud

I took this photograph of Mount Moriah upon our arrival.

Bartram's Garden

Bartram's Garden Schuylkill River Cleanup 
10.4.16

On Tuesday evening, after classes, my boyfriend and I headed across the pond to South Philadelphia for my first Stewardship activity. We arrived in Bartram's Garden, America's oldest living botanical garden, to participate in a river clean up along the Schuylkill river. As the members all arrived, we gathered in a circle to listen for further directions and grabbed a pair of gloves as well as two bags, one for trash and one for recyclables. After that, we broke into about five groups and followed our United By Blue leaders to our spot. We then broke up into groups of two and went on our way to different parts of the river banks and trails to start collecting. I was amazed at the number of bottles and different plastic vesicles were strewn about the waters and how the currents had brought in so much trash. We picked through weeds, woods, trees and bushes for about two hours before we had to drag our full bags up to the meeting spot to be weighed. After everyone had met up again, all the bags were weighed and we got to mingle with the other participants. We were given food courtesy of the Cabot food truck, a sponsor of United By Blue. which consisted of salad, macaroni and cheese, cheese samples and a dessert. As well all enjoyed our meals, we played two group games. The first was to vote on who brought back the strangest piece of garbage, an arrow won but runner up was a catheter bag. The second game was to guess how much trash we had picked up in that two hour span. We managed to pick up almost 5,000 pounds of trash between the fifty or so participants in a short period of time and even then, we felt like we barely made a dent in the amount of trash. Although we had full bags of bottles, cans, Styrofoam and paper products, there was still hundreds of pounds of trash out of reach. It is crazy to think that we only touched a small portion of one single park near the river side and that this amount would be multiplied by millions if we were to clean up the riverbanks in Philadelphia alone. At the end of the even, we all received an aluminum cup as well as a token for one free pair of socks at any United by Blue location. 

At first, I did not really want to participate because I had a ton of other work to get done that night, in the process I was sweating, bleeding and getting hit by tree swatches and branches but at the end, it just seemed worth it. It felt amazing to have an impact at all and I felt a great sense of community with the other group members because we all banded together for a good cause. Reflecting back on the experience, I'm so happy that I did it because it helped me gain a better consciousness of trash and waste in general. There are a lot of places off the shore of oceans, rivers and lakes that are not being cleaned up and those bottles and cans will never disintegrate into the soil. It puts a new perspective on things and opens your eyes to the blatant disregard and disconnect many people in cities have with nature. 






Some reoccurring course concepts I saw during this experience definitely involved the plant, soil and water relationships. This also reminded me of the negative effects of industrialization and the environmental impacts that coastal cities face. This experience also taught me more about civic ecology as well as urban ecological citizenship by way of taking responsibility of my city and realizing that the city is in desperate need of conservation. The energy was flowing through this system so effortlessly and could easily go unnoticed because it all happens behind closed doors per say. The chemicals, producers, consumers and decomposes were all present even when they are doing work on a much smaller scale that meets the eye. It was easy to see that the earth is not self regulating but in a way the currents bring the trash to shore and it feels like nature is asking for us to help clean it up. In this botanical garden we see the ecosystem services at work from provisioning with energy and food, to regulating the pollination and water filtration, to supporting the nutrient cycles, photosynthesis ans soil formation to finally the cultural services of spirituality, recreation and education. Our work almost felt ineffective because it was easy to get overwhelmed by the amounts of trash. Although we all worked hard and recovered almost 5,000 pounds of trash, that park was 45 acres and we barely touched a 10th of it. 





The most difficult aspect of this event was not climbing through bushes and woodland areas, getting bit up by mosquitoes or sweating profusely, the hardest part of this event was thinking about the scope of this issue. It's almost unfathomable to wrap your head around the amount of trash and waste our bodies of water possess. It's disheartening to see mounds of trash in landfills, on streets and on beaches as well as in parks, in rivers and sprinkles all over the ground. This problem did not stem from America, this is a global issue that some people and politicians do not even believe exists. People really need to sit down and realize the impacts of waste, not only trash but carbon emissions and fossil fuels on earth.

One thing I can say that made me uncomfortable was the garden's upkeep versus the surrounding area. The area the garden was in was one that I would feel threatened in after dark. It happens a lot, especially in Philadelphia to see one beautiful, well resourced section next to a completely desolated part of the city. This type of thing can be seen at Temple and its relation to the surrounding areas of North Philadelphia. Not that the park should go to waste, but the income disparities show their true colors at events like these.