Williston naturalist Chapin Kaynor instructed students about the effects invasive plants can have on the local ecosystem and how to manage them. Students pulled about 2,000 small buckthorn trees by hand and removed larger ones using a weed wrench. They also learned to use hand tools like loppers and saws when needed. Because invasive plants often resprout, Kaynor used a dauber to apply small amounts of dyed herbicide directly on any cut stumps.

In addition to teaching the fundamentals of ecology and botany, these activities engaged students in a non-traditional setting and developed practical skills. Students honed their plant identification skills and developed a land ethic by taking pride in shaping a healthier ecosystem around their school.