Be a Virtual Volunteer for Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation’s Virtual Weed Wrangle
In Partnership with Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Carmel, Ind. (April 30, 2020) – While we cannot join together to volunteer, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) invites the community to be part of a virtual volunteer event throughout the month of May. To participate in the Virtual Weed Wrangle, remove invasive species from your own property. Participating volunteers will receive a free tree sapling from CCPR.
When you are finished removing invasive species from your property, email a photo to volunteer@carmelclayparks.com. Once the photo is received the CCPR volunteer coordinator will email directions for contactless tree pick up and instructions for planting. Volunteers are also encouraged to share photos on social media using the hashtags #WeedWrangleIndiana and #HCinvasives.
“While we are heartbroken we won’t be volunteering together for the Weed Wrangle, we are thrilled to continue educating our community about the importance of eradicating invasive species from our parks and our backyards,” said Joanna Woodruff, CCPR Volunteer Coordinator. “It is our hope that our volunteers enjoy supporting our native habitats through this virtual experience!”
When participating, please remember the following: Follow CDC guidelines for COVID-19 safety, use your own tools as they were intended for your safety and those around you, properly dispose of plant material.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an invasive species is any type of organism that isn’t native to a certain area. Invasive species are prevalent in our parks, neighborhoods and our own back yards and are more hurtful than helpful to the environment around them. To learn more about how to properly remove common invasive species like Garlic Mustard and Bush Honeysuckle, visit carmelclayparks.com/park-stewardship.
About Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) holds the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) for parks serving populations of 75,001 to 150,000. As an accredited agency, the department serves the recreation, fitness and nature needs of the community, manages and develops existing spaces and resources and creates a sustainable future for parks and recreation programs through a financially viable and environmentally conscious parks system. CCPR manages and maintains more than 500 park acres and numerous recreation facilities, including the Monon Community Center and The Waterpark. In addition, CCPR has partnered with Carmel Clay Schools to establish Extended School Enrichment (ESE), a before and after-school care program for K-6 students located at all eleven Carmel elementary schools. The Summer Camp Series is a component of ESE that offers 12 different summer camps accommodating children ages 5-15. For more information, visit carmelclayparks.com.
