Dutro Ernst Woods is a 33 acre urban nature preserve located in Muncie, Indiana. With its canopy of mature trees, native wildflowers, and diverse wildlife, it provides a crucial green space within the city. However, like many nature preserves, it faces the threat of non-native invasive species, plants that spread aggressively and displace the native flora that local ecosystems rely on. SEED had the pleasure of partnering with Redtail Land Conservancy to help remove invasive species from one of their protected nature preserves! This collaboration brought together volunteer and staff members from both organizations together to help restore the habitat.

We joined Red-tail Land Conservancy for a workday focused on the removal of these invasive plants. Volunteers worked throughout the preserve to identify and clear species such as amur honeysuckle and white mulberry, two common invasives in Indiana woodlands. If you live in Indiana you have probably seen Amur honeysuckle in your own backyard. It is one of the most widespread invasive shrubs in the state. Amur honeysuckle is easily identifiable once you know what to look for. When matured it is a multi-stemmed shrub with oval leaves that have long, pointed tips and fuzzy undersides that have white/yellow flowers in the spring and bright red berries in the winter. These berries are eaten by birds, which then spread the seeds further into forests, accelerating the plant’s spread. White mulberry has shiny, smooth leaves, rounded lobes, and pinkish-brown twigs. It is important not to confuse it with red mulberry, as that is native to the forests across North America.

Each plant was cut close to the ground with loppers and treated with herbicide. This method ensures that the plant does not simply resprout and return the following season. While the process can be labor-intensive, it is one of the most effective ways to control invasive species in sensitive natural areas. By removing these invasive species, volunteers opened up space for native plants, like red mulberry, to flourish, which in turn supports beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife that rely on these native habitats.

One of our volunteers said she learned how to identify invasive species and understand their impact on the local ecosystem. She was happy to join us as her backyard is also prone to invasive species and knowing how to properly identify and remove these species will allow her to create space for native plants and future gardening projects.

We are proud to say this was SEED’s first official project! It was a large success, with over twenty volunteers coming out to help remove the invasive species. SEED would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all volunteers and staff who dedicated their time and energy! We encourage you to look at Red-tail’s website if you would like to volunteer with them. They host multiple wrangling and trail clearing sessions throughout the spring, summer, and fall. We hope to partner with them again next summer with more volunteers to make a larger impact! Together, we can ensure that Dutro Ernst Woods and other green spaces remain a thriving haven for both the native animals and plants of Indiana and the Muncie community for years to come.

Every year, food insecurity affects thousands of families across the world, limiting access not only to sufficient food but also to the nutritious, fresh produce necessary for healthy living. This challenge is especially pronounced in urban and underserved areas, where access to full-service grocery stores is often limited. In many neighborhoods, the closest option for food may be a gas station or a dollar store, places where fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs are either unavailable or unaffordable.

At the same time, urban environments are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Cities tend to trap heat due to large expanses of concrete, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect. As global temperatures rise, these heat islands make cities hotter and sometimes dangerous during the summer months, particularly for elderly residents, children, and those without reliable access to air conditioning. The lack of green space in many urban neighborhoods exacerbates these conditions.

Over the past few months, our team worked to design and launch Pocket Gardens. The goal of Pocket Gardens was to provide residents with simple, ready-to-grow urban garden kits that could be used in small spaces such as apartments, balconies, or windowsills. We wanted to make gardening accessible to individuals who may not have access to land, tools, or prior gardening experience.

With over $3,500 in donations and support from local organizations and community partners, we were able to assemble and distribute more than one hundred Pocket Garden kits across the region. We are so thankful for all the seed, pot, and printing companies that donated supplies to make this initiative happen! Each Pocket Garden kit contained seeds, soil, and a planting pot, along with an educational guide. The guide included information on how urban gardening can help reduce the effects of the urban heat island. By increasing greenery in cities, even on a small scale, plants can help cool surrounding areas, improve air quality, and support local ecosystems.

Alongside kit distribution, we also hosted an educational Pocket Gardens workshop where participants were able to assemble their kits in person. Hosted by the Muncie Senior Center the workshop provided an opportunity to walk through planting steps together, answer questions, and discuss the environmental impact of urban gardening. We were happy to have guest speaker and Master Gardener, Sazzad Nasir, join us. Participants learned how to plant their seeds, care for their plants, and understand how small-scale gardening can contribute to reducing urban heat and improving access to fresh food.

Distribution of the Pocket Garden kits was made possible through a network of community partners. Kits were distributed through the Muncie Public Library, Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Greenhouse, and the Ross Community Center.

For individuals who were unable to attend in-person distribution events, we created a Google Form that allowed participants to select the types of seeds they wanted and reserve a kit for later pickup. This helped accommodate different schedules and transportation limitations.

Looking ahead, we hope Pocket Gardens becomes a seasonal effort!