Brian - Potter's Bridge

Hello!  I’m Brian.  I hope you are enjoying Potters Bridge Park.  You may notice several Park Stewards doing what we do best - killing plants (said no Master Gardener ever!).  But, by removing the invasive plants form this environment, we are helping the native Indiana plants and trees to thrive.

What We Are Doing
A small team of four dedicated volunteer Stewards manage invasive removals along the entire 2 mile stretch of Potters Bridge Park which borders the White River. Like much of Hamilton County, our park’s natural areas have been and continue to be degraded by a rapid growth of exotic bush honeysuckle, burning bush, Callery (Bradford pear), winter-creeper, garlic mustard and other invasive species. We work with HIP and Hamilton County Park staff to reduce the effect these species have on park property and the White River. Team members participate in scheduled work days as well as volunteer on their own schedules.
 
How I Got Involved

I grew up in adjacent Illinois, in an industrial town surrounded by planes, trains and factories.  My favorite places to visit were always the relatively quiet green spaces of our forest preserves and the abandoned natural lot a block away from my house.  My enjoyment of outdoor spaces continued to grow once I left home.
My stewardship experience began and was fostered in a career in the military.  Over many leadership roles, I was taught and practiced that we in public and military service do not own what we have been entrusted to care for.  I learned “servant-leadership;” we serve those we lead and not the other way around.  We were instructed on being good stewards of our people and resources and to “always leave it better than you found it.”  I guess those lessons stuck.
We moved to Noblesville in 2022 and we are so fortunate to have Potters Bridge Park across the street from our neighborhood. We learned of the HIP when looking for native trees to plant in our yard.  That eventually led to our becoming Purdue Extension Service Master Gardeners and subsequent involvement with the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership (HIP) to work Strike Team and Weed Wrangle events. 

Why It Matters to Me

• We must care for our natural spaces so we may all enjoy them
• We must become active in those things we care about, rather than complain or criticize
• We affect our environment more than we know; therefore, we can each make small changes to effect positive outcomes
• I have the time and ability to do my part.  So, I give back to the community to “leave it better than I found it.”  This ensures the legacy of our parks benefit our native flora and fauna, as well as our neighbors and children. 

 
Resources for You to Get Involved

• Hamilton Co. Invasives Partnership: https://www.hcinvasives.org/
• State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management: https://www.sicim.info/
• Indiana Native Plant Society:  https://indiananativeplants.org/
• Hamilton County Master Gardener Association: https://hcmga.org/
• Missouri Botanical Gardens Plant finder: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/plantfindersearch.aspx
• Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN): www.mipn.org

A book recommendation:  “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer