Results

Project Buckthorn Was Split Into Two Initiatives

  • Senior Project Capstone (October 2021)

    • My connection with ZooMontana as formed in my childhood coupled with my desire to spread awareness on invasive species (a historically overlooked aspect of how humans impact the planet) served as inspiration for the culmination of my activism as a high school student.

    • The first two pictures show St. Francis Middle School Environmental Club (~20 members) on the first day of work. Their tenacity really showed through as seen in the pile of buckthorn behind them in the second picture - after just one day of removal! Their efforts on this project served as a learning opportunity surrounding invasive species as well. Their endless curiosity is transfixing and provides hope that future generations of change-makers will ensure that this issue is well-represented.

    • The middle two pictures show our second day of work with Faith Chapel (~30 assisted). The middle right picture shows a slender white tool known as an Uprooter, which utilizes the power of leverage to easily displace specimens of buckthorn.

    • By the end of the 2nd day, we ended up clearing out 1/2 an acre of densely-packed buckthorn! The before (bottom left) and after (bottom right) pictures demonstrate the drastic difference. The Zoo plans on using this space either to expand the existing arboretum, which displays the diversity of the trees that exist around the world, or as a future animal exhibit.

  • National Honors Society Spring Service Project (May 2022)

    • Each year, Billings West's chapter of NHS conducts a culminating Spring Project that adheres to our core values - scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

    • Our 25 volunteers moved to another section of the Zoo plagued with an emerging breakout of buckthorn (by the wolves). This area also will be used to expand the arboretum and education efforts around invasive species!

Conclusion and Legacy

  • I would like to close by extending thank you's - to Scott, my beneficiary representative at the Zoo, thank you for providing me with this invaluable opportunity not only to expand my interest in addressing environmental issues, but also for challenging my leadership skills in preparation for my future endeavors in college. Thank you to Steve from Parks and Rec for informing me of the extent of the buckthorn outbreak and lending the Uprooters that were so critical for this project. Thank you to the 50+ volunteers who assisted with this project - the extent of controlling the Zoo outbreak would not have been possible without your numbers and zeal for our cause. I would be remiss not to thank my mom, dad, and mentor - Mrs. Gayle Lam, for their ongoing support and advice as I navigated the financial and volunteer difficulties along the way. Their roles serving as my rocks further encouraged me not only to complete the project, but to spearhead similar initiatives in the future.

  • To the Zoo - I hope you have found the removal and the educational materials I created to be instrumental as the Zoo continues evolving into a haven for animal conservation and activism.

  • I am honored to have been a part of this movement to see it grow statewide. Not only has Riverfront Park begun removing their significant infestation, but also Kalispell and other areas out West. They have realized the severity of the most overlooked issue when assessing how humans have impacted our planet. I hope my efforts coupled with those of Billings Parks and Recreation will serve to inspire future student leaders and communities to remove and spread awareness of buckthorn. Again, thanks to all who have made this possible; I am forever indebted to you.


Signing off for now,


Hunter Gibbs