Written by Amanda Li, Edited by Emily Zhang & Ethan Yu
On the Sunday of January 8th, 2024, 8 student volunteers from AYLUS Oyster Bay participated in various tasks of preserving biodiversity at LINPI (Long Island Native Plant Initiative). The event spanned 4 hours; from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Enduring the chilly weather, our volunteers worked diligently in the hoophouse to remove seeds from the heads of Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) and Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem), facilitating the proliferation of the seedlings. Members also resoiled, repotted plants to ensure their health and viability, and learned about the local High-tide Bush, which are resilient plants that ensure equilibrium within the long island coastal soils and ecosystems. This opportunity provided AYLUS members enhanced awareness regarding the diminishing local biodiversity, and an appreciation for the importance of ecological restoration and plant propagation. AYLUS’s collaboration has augmented the readiness of LINPI’s inventory of local plants and seeds for the impending season.
Gratitude to the following 8 young volunteers, totaling 20 volunteer hours collectively.
Amanda Li 4.5 hrs, Ethan Yu 3.5 hrs, Bryan Zhang 2 hrs, Emily Zhang 2.5 hrs, Johnny Chen 2 hrs, Wanying Yu 2 hrs, Helen Chen 1.5 hrs, Chole Piao 2 hrs
