On Thursday, Dec. 15, the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) hosted students from Northwestern University for a volunteer work day on non-native and invasive plant management at both the Town of Tryon lot (near IGA) and the PAC protected Norman Wilder Forest.

These students from Chicago, Ill. volunteered to take part in an Alternative Student Break trip that promotes a model of active citizenship emphasizing personal growth and learning alongside volunteering and activism by connecting students with groups across the United States that work toward social, environmental or animal justice.

In this case, the group of 11 was sent to western North Carolina to work with the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC) and PAC on environmental issues.  Over their weeklong trip, the group was engaged in direct service with CMLC and PAC performing stewardship activities such as non-native and invasive species management and trail work, some of which was led by AmeriCorps Project Conserve members.

If you’d like to get involved with non-native and invasive species management with PAC, please contact Pam Torlina at landprotection@pacolet.org or call 828-859-5060.

– article submitted by Pam Torlina