Pupils volunteering for hornbeam clearing

1 year 47 weeks ago

In June-July 2010, the pupils of the Industrial High School and the Agricultural High School from Sighişoara deployed a series of successful hornbeam-clearing activities in the Breite Reserve.

The first session took place on June 22nd, when 9th grade pupils from the Industrial High School cleared the dense hornbeam invasion around two veteran oaks in the reserve. The nine pupils worked effectively since early morning until noon, under the watchful coordination of Director Ovidiu Mălâncraveanu and Prof. Mihaela Tittes. Their skill and determination brought excellent results – the two oaks were completely freed from the invading hornbeam and looked happier already!

The second session took place on July 1st and was deployed by pupils from the Agricultural High School. Under the supervision of Prof. Tibor Hartel and Prof. Robert Thiesz, the girls and boys were successful in clearing the hornbeam invasion around one of the most important veteran oaks of the reserve. The pupils received unexpected help – as they were taking their lunch break, they noticed that the goat and sheep herds were heading their way.

Once arrived on the work site, the animals eagerly started eating the cut-down hornbeam, clearing the ground around the oak. This proved once more the efficiency of the controlled grazing in reducing the hornbeam invasion and in ensuring the proper conservation of the plateau.

The MET team provided the volunteers training, supervision, work equipment and logistic support. We would like to thank the pupils and their teachers for their strong effort and volunteer involvement in making things better for the Breite Reserve.