Tuesday, May 22nd — Staff from Cell Signalling Technology pulled into our Riverbend headquarters on perfect spring day. After a rainy weekend, the sun, warmth and gentle breeze were deeply appreciated. Especially so since this group of ten from CST had come to sweat and get their hands dirty.
CST volunteers pulling out invasive buckthorn.With energy, spurred higher by the news that they would be rewarded with Richardson’s ice cream and Ipswich Ale beer, the group set-to getting our native plant gardens and rain garden in order. Leaves were raked and weeds pulled in seemingly no time at all. The upper gardens done, the group asked what else they could help with. Outreach Manager Rachel pointed out where invasive buckthorn and garlic mustard grew on the premises, adding that the volunteers were welcome to take the garlic-mustard home to make pesto. After learning to distinguish between cherry and buckthorn, the volunteers attacked the invasives with the help of the weed wrench. Having tackled the invasives, the crew moved on to the lower garden before taking their well-earned break.
Over their refreshments, these hardy volunteers discussed how nice it was to enjoy nature and sunshine during work hours. Cell Signalling employees are paid for a set amount of community service hours, and what better way to spend that time than outdoors, giving back to nature? We want to give a huge thank you to these awesome volunteers for their great attitudes and the impressive amount of gardening and invasive control they were able to do in just a few hours. If your group or company are interested in coming to Riverbend for a volunteer workday, please contact Rachel at [email protected].