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".