This summer, we made good progress catching up on maintenance at Columbia Audubon Society’s Wild Haven nature area (100 acres) on Hinkson Creek northeast of Columbia.

But we’ll tackle the biggest job at Wild Haven starting this week as we clean out the old workshop building east of the picnic shelter. This building has been badly abused over the past 10 years but it is structurally sound and, once cleaned up, it could serve as a three-season shelter for a variety of groups and activities.

We’re planning to do most of the work on Saturday, September 19. A 15-yard dumpster is in place, waiting to be filled. In addition to debris from the workshop, we hope there will be enough dumpster capacity to allow us to demolish a couple small, decrepit outbuildings. We’ll have a crew on site from 9AM to 3 PM and volunteers can drop by to help during this time.

Bring brooms, wheelbarrows, and trash cans and bags. If you drive a pickup, it will help haul materials from demo sites way from the shelter. Wear work shoes/boots — and don’t forget your Covid-19 mask! We’ll have plenty of room to keep a safe social distance.

Directions to Wild Haven workshop (6900 E. O’Rear Road): Take Route B north from US 63 about two miles, then turn right at the Fastlane station onto Hwy HH. Follow HH about two miles, past a 90-degree left turn, then turn left onto O’Rear Rd. Cross the bridge over Hinkson Creek, then look for the first gate on the left. Pull in and park on the grass (or on the side of the road.)

Bill Mees and John Besser
CAS Nature Areas Committee