CSL at Thompson's Field
Published on Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thompson’s Field is 87 acres of protected open space in Harwich bordered by Route 39 and Chatham Road. The Town of Harwich purchased the property in 1984 as conservation land primarily to protect the adjacent public well field. AmeriCorps-CapeCod plays a pivotal role in coordinating volunteers for maintaining the scenic views of open field and enhancing habitat diversity.
Historically, like most of Cape Cod, Thompson’s Field had been cleared for timber, grazing or subsistence agriculture. Currently, some of the land south of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which roughly bisects the property, has remained open field habitat, but is gradually being succeeded by pitch pine, eastern red cedar and non-native invasive plants. Pitch pine dominates the land north of the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Over time, invasive non-native plants such as bittersweet, honeysuckle, barberry, autumn olive and others have taken root in the disturbed landscape. The invasive plants can quickly crowd out native vegetation important for native wildlife and species diversity.
Cape Cod Tech’s freshman class recently partnered with AmeriCorps-Cape Cod to help restore and enhance the scenic views of Thompson’s Field and enhance the habitat to improve wildlife diversity. Students were taught how to rid the area of invasive plants and worked diligently to on that task. The abundant amount of downed limbs and dead trees that would act as fire fuels creating dangerous fire situations in the upcoming dry months were also collected and readied for chipping. In addition to rolling up their sleeves the students took part in a nature hike and learned about the difference between invasive and indigenous species, transitional forests, the forest canopy, and vernal pools. Back in their classrooms students utilized the information gained out in the field to participate in reflective activities that allowed them explore the impact of what they learned and its effect on their thoughts and future actions.
A celebration breakfast in honor of the huge success of the project and the much appreciated hard work of the freshmen was held following the days of service learning. Special guests from AmeriCorps were in attendance and the Harwich Conservation Commission Director presented Cape Tech’s freshman class with a certificate of Appreciation.