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Invasives Begone | Mountaintop Rotary
Issue: 2020/10 - October
A grant from the Mountaintop Rotary Club of Highlands and matching grant funds from Rotary District 7670 have enabled the new RotarACT Club of Highlands to launch its first project.
The project has the goal of removing non-native invasive plant species in and around the town of Highlands, community roadways, and local non-profit owned properties.
In addition to the benefits to our shared landscape, the primary motivation of this plan is to provide financial relief to working people of the community who’ve been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic by employing them as workers in the project.
RotarACT President Rachel Kinback said, “We are excited to launch our first project at a time when there is a great need. Many working people in Highlands and surrounding towns have lost jobs or had their hours cut, and many did not receive a stimulus check. This project will also provide a platform for something that we can do together to beautify and take pride in our town and help each other make it through a very difficult time.”
RotarACT’s first Project Work Day took place on Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Workers were paid for a full six hours at $15 an hour in the form of a $90 Ingles Gift Card. In addition to the workers, a number of team leaders and Highlands Mountaintop Rotarians joined as volunteers during the work day.
In coordination with Kyle Pursel of the Highlands Cashiers Land Trust, the club has mapped the incidence of dangerous invasive species in the area to create the project plan. A number of work days will be required to fully remove the targeted species. Donations and volunteers are welcome.
RotarACT Clubs bring together people ages 18-30 to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service.
For further information, or if you’d like to donate, volunteer or work on the project, please contact Rachel Kinback at (610) 955-9356 or email the club at [email protected].
