Today we completed the 3 acre woodland restoration at the Schoenstatt Retreat Center in Waukesha, WI. Despite the intermittent rain showers, 7 brave souls worked to cut and remove the remaining invasive European buckthorn from this amazing  woodland that is full of huge oak and other tree species.

Clearing buckthorn (and loving it)

Cutting buckthorn

Stacking buckthorn

This was a project that began in May of this year (see Woodland Restoration post) and has included the creation of a woodland trail, benches, and educational signage thanks to the   58 volunteer hours!! Schoenstatt Sisters and volunteers have also placed wood chips on the trail which has become a favorite for some Sisters and those on retreat to walk and pray.

This woodland project has also run alongside our bluebird nest box program on the property (see Bluebird Nest Box post) and the beginnings of several other long-term stewardship projects like a 12 acre woodland restoration/trail, butterfly garden, and a 2 acre oak-opening “prayer-e” planting with native wildflowers and grasses.

“The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains – everything is, as it were, a caress of God.”     -Pope Francis, Laudato Si’