Knox College Stewardship Event at Green Oaks Biological Field Station

On the 4th of October, Patience and I led Knox’s Outdoor Adventure Club on its inaugural trip of the school year, a combined stewardship and camping trip to Green Oaks Biological Field Station. This 704-acre property, about 30 minutes away from campus, is one of the most important outdoor resources to our campus community, and yet one of the least accessible. One of our goals with this event was to get students who had never or rarely been able to access this great space out to the property. Our stewardship was focused on trail maintenance and clearing the road of debris in preparation for increased traffic the following weekend (our Homecoming and Family & Friends Weekend). 

We were met by Watson Bartlett Professor of Biology and Director of Green Oaks Biological Field Station, Stuart Allison at the brand new Knight Living and Learning Center, where we discussed the plan and were given tools needed for the tasks assigned. Then, we set off down towards the lake, loppers in hand, trimming anything that would impede access for people or vehicles. Many of our participants were in pairs – one trimming, the other hauling, using teamwork to rid the area of pesky invasive species like Amur Honeysuckle and Autumn Olive. Many of our students had not been to this property, nor done any kind of trail maintenance, so it was a convergence of learning and growth for us all!

We eventually made it to one of our longest trails on the property, and traveled the entire length of it, continuing our strategy of trimming overhang while also removing several fallen trees from the path, coordinating with Professor Allison’s chainsaw cuts to maximize impact. With both the road & main trails now cleared, we parted ways with Professor Allison as he headed back into town and we settled into our campsite for the night. 

For the remainder of the trip we shared chili & elotes cooked over the campfire, went on a stargazing walk and learned about rhodopsin (the chemical in your eyes that lets you see in the dark), and performed many early 2000’s ballads accompanied by guitar. Canoes were paddled, frisbees were thrown, hammocks were swung, and laughter rang out over Lake Sharvey. 

Overall, it was an incredible experience that reminded us that all it takes is some grit and good songs for strangers to be turned into new friends in the woods.