Help clear invasive plants from Bryan Park

The Virginia Master Naturalists and the Virginia Native Plant Society announce the first-ever, statewide Invasive Plant Removal Day. The program will take place at locations all over the state on Saturday, May 2, including at Northside’s Bryan Park. Riverine Master Naturalists (contact: Emily Gianfortoni at riverinechapter [at] earthlink [dot] net) are coordinating the invasive plant removal […]

invasive
The Virginia Master Naturalists and the Virginia Native Plant Society announce the first-ever, statewide Invasive Plant Removal Day. The program will take place at locations all over the state on Saturday, May 2, including at Northside’s Bryan Park.

Riverine Master Naturalists (contact: Emily Gianfortoni at riverinechapter [at] earthlink [dot] net) are coordinating the invasive plant removal effort at Bryan Park from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The clean-up will be coordinated from the parking lot just past the playground; there will be signs to direct volunteers to the work site.

Volunteers will be removing vines, especially English ivy and honeysuckle, from a wooded area. Be sure to wear long pants and long sleeves because there is some poison ivy in the area. Bring heavy gloves (leather is good), long pants and shirts, water, lunch or a snack; pruners, loppers, pick axe, and wheel barrows if you have them; Friends of Bryan Park will provide some drinks. Training will take place at the site.

Why clear invasive species from our parks? Here’s some info from the Friends of Bryan Park website:

Invasive species are, generally, non-native species that cause ecological or economical harm. They share certain characteristics, such as being able to mature quickly, generate many offspring and can tolerate a wide range of habitats. Because of the characteristics that allow a species to successfully establish in new territory, invasive species make terrible neighbors. They out-compete native species for the same resources, eventually harming trees, wildlife and water quality.

Invasives have taken a firm foothold in many parts of the state and everyone’s help is needed to reclaim our natural areas. Removing invasive plants and sowing native flora is a fantastic way to restore water quality and wildlife habitat in any biome.

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