Two dozen students, faculty and alumni participated last week in Weed Wrangle 2015, a new event of Invasive Species Awareness Week. Inspired by national and international efforts now underway, Weed Wrangle Nashville represents a new push to stem the tide of biological pollution in local communities. The goal is two-fold: restoration and preservation. Organizers seek to raise awareness of the “green scourge” before more native plants lose the fight for the light and nutrients they require to survive. The Feb. 28 Weed Wrangle event was a one-day, citywide, volunteer effort to help rescue public parks and green spaces from invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines and flowering plants.
Dr. Darlene Panvini, professor of biology/environmental science, said, “Getting students outside and engaged in exotic plant removal makes the problem more real and less abstract. Students also had a chance to meet the staff at the park while visiting one of Nashville’s treasures – Shelby Bottoms Park and Greenway. Since many of the students who participated in the plant removal were not science majors, this experience was a way to educate more people about the impact of non-native invasive species on native ecosystems.”
Student Katelyn Keast said, “It was rewarding to see the difference we made in such a short amount of time. The participants now know how to stop the problem of invasive species, and I hope they all enjoyed being outdoors and helping the environment.”
Weed Wrangle was the conclusion of a week-long series that included a convo on campus that served as the kick-off event to Invasive Species Awareness Week. The presentation by Steve Manning of Invasive Plant Control Inc. focused on the topic, “Introduction to Invasive Species in Tennessee: Forming a Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area to Combat Invasive in Tennessee.”
Among a packed classroom in the Wedgewood Academic Center, a panel of seven Belmont students offered unique and profound interpretations on “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like,” the opening convocation in the University’s celebration of Women’s History Month.
On Feb. 27, Belmont students held the third annual World Culture Fest in the Beaman Student Life Center to celebrate diversity on campus through dance, music, fashion and more. Individual students and student organizations focused on cultural identities had booths representing different world cultures for students to sample food, learn interesting facts, ask questions and participate in cultural activities such as henna tattoo art and calligraphy. The Rumi Club, Chinese Cultural Club and Black Student Association co-sponsored the festival in partnership with the Student Government Association.
Belmont alumnus and nationally acclaimed musician Gordon Kennedy was recently recognized as a Morris Family Mentor & Lecture Series and Curb College Distinguished Lecturer.
Strings for Hope (S4H), an organization created by White Bluff resident Laura Wilson in 2011, collects discarded guitar strings to create unique jewelry through the artful work of women at Nashville’s Next Door, a housing and rehabilitation facility for women in transition. Funds raised through jewelry sales are donated to local food distribution centers to alleviate hunger in the greater Nashville area.