by Bill Mees

– by Bill Mees

Several years ago, the city of Columbia instituted the Adopt-A-Trail program through its Parks and Recreation department. Beginning in 2017, Columbia Audubon Society assumed responsibility for a quarter mile segment of Scott‘s Branch Trail. The adopted segment runs along the south side of Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary and Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary.

In 2017, Columbia Audubon Society removed all the bush honeysuckle and trash from along the adopted trail segment. In April 2018, CAS members and friends planted nearly 200 native Missouri seedlings. In time, these seedlings will grow to replace the honeysuckle. Unfortunately, the spring planting was followed by a very dry summer and fall. Not to be deterred, CAS members watered each of the new seedlings throughout the drought.

Since this project is sponsored by the city, time donated by volunteers is tracked and recognized. Since April 2018, Columbia Audubon Society members and volunteers have donated a total of 78 hours. The private sector values each hour donated by a volunteer at a rate of $24.14 per hour. The value of the hours donated to the city of Columbia by CAS volunteers is $1883.00.

Thank you Columbia Audubon Society for helping to restore and beautify our city.