A day of volunteering at the restoring heathland
Since 2017, we have at work engaged a couple of times in volunteering work for a good cause in society. In the past we all worked together on the same big project in one week, but that's very hard to get organized while keeping our service operational.
This year, post pandemic, we can participate in several projects of choice on different dates, all coordinated by the firm Time4Society who brings together firms and volunteering efforts.
First I had signed up for a different project at a children's care centre, but that had to be cancelled due to my business trip to Scotland. So I signed up for a different date, which was a nature project. Our work has a partnership with Natagora and Natuurpunt and this project was going to support a nature reserve from Natagora not too far from our office. They've purchased 3 years ago a piece of woodland that they are trying to restore back to the historic heat land of the area. The seeds last for 100 years in the ground so the land has been cleared. However, invasive ferns, no longer suffering from the wood's shade, take over since the tiny heat plants that start to show up, cannot claim their place yet.
This year, post pandemic, we can participate in several projects of choice on different dates, all coordinated by the firm Time4Society who brings together firms and volunteering efforts.
First I had signed up for a different project at a children's care centre, but that had to be cancelled due to my business trip to Scotland. So I signed up for a different date, which was a nature project. Our work has a partnership with Natagora and Natuurpunt and this project was going to support a nature reserve from Natagora not too far from our office. They've purchased 3 years ago a piece of woodland that they are trying to restore back to the historic heat land of the area. The seeds last for 100 years in the ground so the land has been cleared. However, invasive ferns, no longer suffering from the wood's shade, take over since the tiny heat plants that start to show up, cannot claim their place yet.
For biodiversity and the preservation of specific plants and animals it is important to restore heat lands in Wallonia, so we spent a day weeding ferns in the sun. The sheep that pasture this land as done historically, observed if we did a good job. They'll contribute to the preservation of this piece of land.
We attacked the work with lots of energy and climbed up the hill in a line. I felt the urge to start singing and understood why the cotton fields in Southern USA historically have been at the base of different music styles (gospel, soul, ...?). It makes sense to sing in such monotonous community hard manual labour.
Really quickly we saw patched of cleared land, which was very motivating. We made bigger and bigger free zones, but I must admit that in the afternoon our rhythm had considerably slowed down. It was so hot and not all of us had anticipated our need for water well enough.
Really quickly we saw patched of cleared land, which was very motivating. We made bigger and bigger free zones, but I must admit that in the afternoon our rhythm had considerably slowed down. It was so hot and not all of us had anticipated our need for water well enough.
Even though we slowed down and had obtained several blisters, we had good fun and the Natagora coordinator was impressed by the work achieved. So on his proposal we agreed on stopping one hour earlier than planned to go and have a drink in a nearby village....ouch yes, great, drinks!! Cool drinks. We happily stumbled back to our cars.
And next days, we could be recognized in our (home) office, by the cursing whenever we had to get up or down on our chair and move down the staircase. Additionally, I had no more strength in my fingers for 2 days: I could not form a fist or open a jar or clutch my computer mouse well.
And next days, we could be recognized in our (home) office, by the cursing whenever we had to get up or down on our chair and move down the staircase. Additionally, I had no more strength in my fingers for 2 days: I could not form a fist or open a jar or clutch my computer mouse well.
And still it was an awesome day with colleagues in full nature away from all civilization on a gorgeous sunny warm day. Great that we have been allowed to help for a day.
.jpeg)
Comments