I woke up this morning with a terrible attitude. It’s Saturday. It’s early. And it’s friggin’ SNOWING. Do I really have to go work outside today?! The answer? Yes. So let’s just power through this and get it over with.

“Whistle While You Work” is a volunteer program at the Shelby Farms Park Conservatory. The first Saturday of every month, volunteers meet at the park to help repair trails and perform maintenance projects like: spreading mulch, gardening, and removing dead limbs. The park’s forest attracts an array of wildlife, however, much of the forest is fragmented and severely threatened by invasive species, like Chinese privet and kudzu.

Ain’t whistlin’ yet.

I show up at 9 a.m., still in a sour mood, and notice a huge group of people hanging out at the parking lot. Why are these crazy people here so early on a snowy Saturday? Ohhh, they were here to volunteer too. I was pretty impressed by the commitment of all these volunteers. But was it enough to change my attitude? No. I’m cold and tired.

Kevin, lookin thrilled to be here.

I meet a volunteer named Kevin, who tells me more about what we are doing today: planting trees. Kevin and I become quick friends and walk to our tree planting site together, both of us using shovels to navigate through the un-level terrain. Once we get to the site, (about a 15 minute walk)(in the snow) we are given a quick demonstration on how to properly dig a hole. I’m no stranger to digging, so I didn’t pay any attention.

Can ya dig it?

We are freed to start digging and suddenly I have a digging partner. Her name is Tara (which I’m just now realizing means “earth” or “land” in Latin [terra] which is ironic because we were brought together to plant trees in the “terra”. Man! I am SO deep!) Tara is volunteering with her club from the U of M. She also explains to me that she has never used a shovel before in her life. You couldn’t tell though. She was a natural. I guess you could say I “dug” her shoveling skills. She also told me that her “method” was exactly the way they demonstrated a few minutes before we started digging. I guess I should have paid attention.

She can dig it!

After we planted a few trees, Tara and I decided to make things a bit more interesting. How? By timing ourselves. The first few trees took us about 7 minutes each, but once we started timing ourselves we got done to 3 minutes per tree. (that means Tara and I are badasses) We continue digging and planting and talking for the next few hours.

A 3 minute tree

Needless to say, it was a tough day. But there came a point during the cold, unceasing wind in my face, shoes and socks wet from melted snow, and snot pouring out of my nose, when I felt a sense of euphoria. I guess because I had convinced myself that the day’s task was going to be so wretched compared to staying in my warm bed, that I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. I swear I’m not lying when I say I felt–get ready–invigorated. There is something very satisfying about getting dirty and being sweaty and cold all at the same time. Plus, what better way to make new friends AND do your part for the environment. The day turned into something NOT to be endured, but experienced. It was as if I had taken my bad attitude and buried it in one of the holes with a tree. (that tree is going to be a total jerk.)

Bad attitude tree

The conservatory’s master plan is to plant one million trees and restore the health to the park’s forest. So, there’s a lot to do! Maybe I’ll see YOU out there next time.

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.”- Robert Louis Stevenson

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