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VOLUNTEERS (continued) <br /> When soliciting volunteers, keep these items in mind: <br /> a- Make sure all volunteers that are working closely with buckthorn are up to date with their tetanus shots. <br /> The thorns on Common Buckthorn are sharp!!! <br /> .-Required attire for volunteers on the actual day of the buckthorn roundup:jeans, long sleeve shirt- heavy <br /> weight (chamois) best in cold weather. glasses or safety glasses, leather gloves. Clothing should be old as <br /> you may end up cutting jackets/shirts with thorns. Recommend to participants that they not wear nylon style <br /> jackets-these are easily shredded by the thorns. <br /> a-Assignments: Volunteers that"schlepp"the buckthorn must be up to the task. This is not for children. It <br /> would be a suitable project for older scout groups, teens. etc. <br /> ..-Buckthorn removal is an exhausting process as the wood is very heavy. Be sure to have plenty of water <br /> and other refreshments on site. <br /> FUNDING <br /> Voluntary Private Property Roundup <br /> • Many homeowners are aware of the problem with buckthorn, but can't afford to have it cut and removed by <br /> a tree service. Other residents just don't have the energy (elderly, physically impaired) to do this. In our <br /> yard, my husband and I removed buckthorn over a 3 year period taking it to neighborhood cleanups where <br /> brush was accepted. However, we had a truck- not everyone has a truck. Plus we had to pay a fee to take <br /> the buckthorn brush to the cleanup. So, I began thinking about funding a neighborhood cleanup to make it <br /> easier for homeowners to remove their buckthorn. <br /> For my neighborhood's (SAP) first private property cleanup, a respected tree service was contacted and we <br /> requested a quote for what they would charge for 8 hours of chipping in our neighborhood. We recommend <br /> that you contact three tree services for estimates. Make sure they are licensed, bonded and insured and <br /> then you can select the best bid. <br /> The tree service would provide two of their staff to handle the chipping along with a chipper and truck. It <br /> was understood that the tree service would not be involved in cutting down any materials-only the <br /> chipping. Homeowners had to follow specific directions as to how to stack and where to place the <br /> buckthorn for pickup. Be sure to read the enclosed handout"H"that details specific directions for <br /> homeowners to follow (i.e. no vines allowed on buckthorn!!) <br /> Knowing the cost of the tree service, we applied for a grant through our neighborhood association. Half of <br /> the needed amount was awarded. We then approached our neighborhood garden club to match the first <br /> • grant. They agreed and the project was on its way. <br /> I wrote a Buckthorn Roundup article for the September issue of our neighborhood paper- see enclosed <br /> (this was the only way this project was advertised). Our garden club purchased ad space in the paper for a <br /> buckthorn roundup participation sign up form to be printed on the same page as the article. The <br />