Editor,
I want to take the opportunity to thank Dathan Weems and his organizing staff for the Spring Storm event held Saturday. Even though the event was a first for UNM, it appeared to go very smoothly. I believe it to be a worthwhile event that I hope will continue in upcoming years.
Several people from my department had the opportunity to work at the Rio Grande Nature Center. Our group consisted of about 70 people from several different organizations and individuals.
One organization in our group, the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, had about 30 members participating at the nature center. These young ladies worked exceptionally hard. Our project included removing about 150 feet of chain link fencing - and the metal posts in concrete, clearing leaves and other materials from ditches, tree lines and fences.
We prepared the area, with rakes, roto-tillers and shovels for planting of native grasses. A three-foot wide drainage swale about 100 feet long was dug and several non-native trees and the tree stumps were removed. These trees were 14-18 inches in diameter, and the stumps weighed about 300 or 400 pounds. They were dug, chopped and pulled from the ground.
The young ladies from Alpha Chi worked very hard with shovels, rakes, picks and axes and our group was able to complete the projects slated for us, as well as additional projects that the nature center was able to find at the last moment.
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With their hard work and dedication, these ladies have earned my respect. I hope they continue their service to UNM and the community.
Robert Dunnington
Campus safety manager for UNM Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs and Risk Management
