Strike Team

During the winter season, general maintenance across the metro parks’ 20 parks and 28,000+ acres is reduced. They use this time to tackle larger projects that would take smaller teams several days. To accomplish this, staff from all 20 parks come together to form strike teams, completing five to six major projects over the winter months.

I followed along as this group of guys sought out Callery pear and Amur honeysuckle, from the tiniest saplings to towering invaders. After a relentless chainsaw session, every stump—no matter how small—was meticulously painted with pesticide to prevent regrowth. Logan Dunn, from the Resource Management department, explained, “If you don’t kill the stump, it will sprout a bunch of shoots, effectively making the problem worse.” These guys battle invasive species year-round, often dealing with plants whose seeds were spread from mature specimens intentionally planted for their “beauty” in nearby developments.

Some might say that high-visibility shirts and chainsaws don’t make for the most compelling photography. But what I see is a group of dedicated individuals working to restore habitats so that birds, rodents, and insects can thrive. Experienced veterans and young guns alike, pausing for a photo op next to “the biggest cottonwood I’ve ever seen.” And above all, a deep sense of appreciation for the land—something all too rare in today’s world.