Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge Reflection

 Hello Blog!

Over the past two weeks, volunteering at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge as part of our class has been one of my favorite experiences of the semester. It has been really interesting to see how nature is actively protected and cared for by people who clearly have a strong passion for it. Being there has made me more curious about the space as a whole, and I would definitely want to come back on my own time to explore more of the reserve myself or with friends. 


During our first visit, we worked on removing invasive bamboo, and during the second week, we focused on clearing privet. Both are invasive species that disrupt the natural ecosystem, so removing them helps native plants and animals thrive. My understanding is that invasive species are difficult to eradicate since they do not have a predator in the ecosystem -- from not naturally exist there. The work itself was enjoyable and rewarding. The first week, we used loppers to cut down bamboo, which was satisfying, but the second week, I used a handsaw to cut privet, and I honestly had so much fun with it. I got into a rhythm and didn’t want to stop. My arms were sore afterward, and I did not wear long sleeves, so I got scratched up, but it was worth it, and I learned a lesson! 


What stood out to me the most was how immediate the impact of our work was. By the end of the day, we could clearly see the difference we made. There were piles of privet branches and noticeably more open space, which we knew would become more space for the bison. It was rewarding to know that we were contributing to improving their space at the reserve.


Being in that environment also made me think more about the role humans play in nature. I felt like I was serving the land in a way, which is not something I usually experience. I normally just roam and enjoy, but now I have also helped. It also made me wonder about the animals themselves -- whether they feel comfortable and “at home” there. Compared to something like a zoo, the refuge feels much more like a sanctuary, where the priority is safety and protection rather than control. 


Overall, this experience has helped me connect what we’ve been learning in class to real action. It made me extremely grateful for the effort that goes into maintaining ecosystems and the balance between humans and tourism, and nature and animals. I cannot imagine how much energy and money goes into conserving this space, so I truly admire it even more. It has definitely made me more aware of how humans can either disrupt or support nature depending on how we interact with it.


I do not have many pictures because I do not take my phone out during this time. I am adding some photos of the nature center that I chose from the website so that you can see where we have been going for our class! 


Clearing bamboo (invasive species) 

Bison at FWNC & R! (Have not seen a bison in forever) 

Nature Center map -- it covers 3,000+ miles


The lopper and hand saw used these past two weeks ^ 








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