My Extended Experience: Rounding up the Bison!

The adventures at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge had been fairly extensive up until this point but truly none of our prior experiences had prepared us for this extended experience. 

It was a beautiful day on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 26th as we pulled up to park by the bison facility. When we arrived we were met with the other workers at the Nature Center and were led by Daniel who went into extensive detail about what to expect and prepare for that day. I appreciated his transparency from the beginning about how the animals could get injured or he could get injured during our experience because like I said, growing up in California gave me no context from what I was about to experience. 

We then walked through the facility and were given a detailed insight into how the bison would be led through the chute until the last point where they would get vaccinated, maybe stitched, and then released back into their habitat. I appreciated walking through the gates and each section myself because we were truly walking the path of the bison which truthfully gave me insight into maybe what they could be feeling or encountering. Truth be told, I was even a bit anxious walking through the last stretch of the facility where they clamp the bison in and give them their vaccines which later gave me more empathy for what they were experiencing. 

Then we did the rundown of roles and what to do at each gate which is where the magic began to happen. Daniel explained each role at each gate to push or pull and how to stay safe while participating in the experience. I appreciated how together as a team that day we were going to make this event happen but grew to have even more appreciation as the event began and we started rounding up the bison.

First Daniel ran out and gathered about 5 or 6 bison at a time to bring in our "levels" I like to call it where he could slowly use a paddle, get big, and bring the bison closer to our facility. At each level he would clap his paddle loudly, scaring the bison closer and closer to our end and it was interesting to observe how each group of bison entered in differently. In the first group, we witnessed a fight between one of the older bison, Maverick, and one of the other bison who unfortunately then had a deep wound to the neck and had to later get stitched. Another group got pushed all stuck together and ran circles around the facility before being divided up by the gates. And another group that was one of my favorites was you could always tell the baby bison wanted to stay near their mom and not leave her side. Kind of cool to the dynamic of the bison community and how truthfully, their dynamic isn't too dissimilar from ours as people as well. 

Once the bison came into our facility through the last level that is when our team began to work. The first team closed even smaller levels to individually separate the bison which set them up for the rest of the journey that they would be taking on their own. One of the employees, Jennifer, was then in charge of the transition corner gate that moved a bison from the smaller levels around the corner towards "the tub" they called the final leg of the maze. I had the privilege of working with Rachel Baniewicz on the side by Jennifer where once the Bison passed our area we quickly pushed a red gate behind the bison so that they would not backtrack and continue our progress forward. 

After we closed our gate Jennifer would call to Hailey and another volunteer to close their two side gates at the same time, locking the bison into the tub before the last vaccination leg. We found through multiple practices our rhythm as a team on our side where Jennifer would yell "Go!" for Rachel and I to push the gate and "Kessler" for both Hailey and the other volunteer to close their two green gates. I think the coordination of it all was one of my favorite parts because especially growing up and playing team sports I always love how each player has a role to play on the field to continue to make a well-oiled machine and process. Was the best feeling to offer a hand in that process and work with the encouraging people around me. 

Lastly the bison go through the last leg which pushes them down a funnel like tunnel where they get their vaccines and maybe stitches at the end. Was cool to watch that team coordinate the closing of the gates and then help keep the bison still at the end. Another one of my favorite parts was watching the bison getting released into the wild and running back to join their family. It felt like a celebrate of the bison being set free and our teamwork being a success which was a pretty special thing. 

With all that being said, there are three things I want to share that I took away from this extended experience. The first thing I would say is gaining empathy for both animals and nature. According to my beliefs, I believe all creation is designed but one Creator and it was special to honestly connect with other aspects of God's creation and be able to relate with them. I saw the values of community, the feelings of fear and anxiety, and the excitement of being set free which is a pretty incredible thing to connect on. Second thing I took away would be the value of team work and coordination. Was a really incredible thing to watch how we with care and intentionality took our jobs seriously and were able to lead the bison through with ease and care. I really appreciated how understanding and kind the staff at the reserve were as well with our lack of experience and understanding. Lastly, my final takeaway would be making the time to try new things and furthermore not be afraid to try new things. I am very much a creature of habit and this experience being outside of my comfort zone was now one that I will also never forget. Much appreciation for Dr. Williams and the Nature Center employees for coordinating and setting up this experience with us. 

Laying Down a New Path

This past week at the Fort Worth Nature and Refuge Center our group was tasked with removing fencing, digging holes and adding poles, and spreading mulch along the trails. My group alongside Brianna and Rachel Ba got to spread the mulch through the start of a path

that is by a new bison area in the center. With the use of rakes and shovels, we were able to move the dirt that was delivered by Hailey along the pathway to hopefully draw future visitors' attention to this beautiful trail. 

But the activity itself got me thinking: why would we need to add mulch to a trail that has already been paved? Our group was wrestling and thinking about this question during our task of moving the dirt around the trail and we all were questioning different answers. Briana was wondering what the ecosystem benefit could be, Rachel was thinking about the consumer benefit of a paved path, and as a marketing major, I was thinking about the visual appeal and attention-getter of new mulch put down on a path.  It was cool to witness and discuss our different lenses on the task at hand and think about laying a new path event on a current or existing one. 

This also got me thinking about our discussion of evolution with nature reserves and how there is this debate around accessibility. One could argue that laying down dirt, building fences, and building a structure to view the bison from are all elements of accessibility in the nature reserve. Laying down the mulch makes what seems like a blended path with nature around it to be more prevalent and noticeable to anyone walking by. The fences provide a visitor with healthy and safe accessibility in the reserve to drive or walk past the bison area. And lastly, the new viewing tower gives visitors accessibility to see the bison up close and in their natural habitat. However, although changes in accessibility can be destructive, I felt the methods of the nature reserve were intentional and natural for using the elements that are already had within the reserve.

The last thing that was a takeaway for me from this exploration is the progress we have made as a team and community in just a few weeks at this reserve. It has been so cool to look around and see the Chinese privet we cut back, to see the mesquite cut down and removed, to see the poles added, to see the trail and mulch, and to see the fence being rebuilt which is a pretty incredible thing. Although I think it is common for changes in a natural preserve to strip away or deter from the natural land that is already there and was there before us, it has been sweet to see how healthy additions and changes can be done as well, especially as a team. Like adding mulch over an old path, I am excited to see how our changes only enrich and draw attention to the Fort Worth Nature and Refuge Center, not stripping away from anything that may lie underneath. 

Time to Unplug and Reconnect

Just this past weekend I had the opportunity to spend some time at home with my family which always brings me the greatest joy and sense of peace. It is amazing how even just the places around us or the context we are in can evoke emotions and feelings that are tied to the memories we hold. One place in particular that I love to go to at least once when I am home is Del Mar Beach, where I went to high school. Like Professor Williams, I usually go at an early hour of about 6 AM and help the sun rise for the day over the ocean which helps me start my day off in such a mindful way. I will normally take my bible, journal, and books to read and normally just sit there as long as I want to. With this last exploration in mind, there are a few things I was thinking about that I wanted to share with you.

First, I love "unplugging and reconnecting". What I mean by this phrase is turning my phone into "do not disturb" mode is an incredible opportunity to "reconnect" with myself and reflect on my life thus far. I think it is so important that we as human beings take the time to slow and down and step away from the rush of the world so that we can eventually back into it stronger for it. Sometimes I hesitate with unplugging but you always have to remember that the world will continue to go on without you, you can take the time to turn off your phone and just be. 

Secondly, on that note, it reminds me that my life is bigger than my own. It is very easy to get caught up in our own problems or thoughts that might seem like the biggest thing in the world at the moment. But looking out into the great distance of the ocean, makes our lives seem much smaller. It is so humbling to look out at the vast creation and depths of the ocean and reflect in comparison to ourselves. This is truly one of my favorite reasons for continually coming back and spending intentional time at this beach and location. 

Lastly, I think it's important to set the "why" for the unplug and reconnect to be continuing to better yourself in whatever way you believe is best for you. As a Christian, this is my time to reflect on maybe my sin patterns or read scripture and learn more about God's character which ultimately refines me. Maybe it is different for you but setting that intention before you go is so key in my opinion and ultimately reminds you, you are doing it for your betterment, no one else's. 

I am very grateful to have these experiences each time when I go home and I further encourage you to find what this can look like for you. We all are not designed to operate and follow the hustle of today's culture, rather we must unplug and reconnect to lead the lives we desire.