Many thanks to the volunteers who came out last Saturday to join RiP (Remove Invasive Plants) and EcoAction Arlington on Invasive Plant Removal Day. Volunteers worked in Guston Woods and Haley Park to remove garlic mustard, vinca, English ivy and other pesky hazards.
It was a fabulous morning for working outdoors, especially when working with highly energized volunteers. It turns out that Haley Park is home to a state rare tree: the frosted hawthorn (crataegus pruinosa). The efforts in Haley Park centered around freeing several young frosted hawthorn’ saplings’ from the invasive plants that had taken root beneath them. Knowing that we were giving these young trees a fighting chance made the morning especially fulfilling.
If you missed the event on Saturday, no worries. There are still plenty of ways that you can help!
- Learn more about why it’s important to remove invasive species from our yards, parks and communities.
- Read one volunteer’s story about why he does this important work.
- Volunteer at a regularly scheduled invasive removal event at a park near you.
- Take advantage of the many upcoming invasive plant sales to add some native plants to your garden (and perhaps remove a non-native or two while you are at it)
- Remove invasive plants from your own yard and garden.
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