Maybe I’m alone on this, but I get great satisfaction from weeding the garden, mulch beds and stone walkways. There’s something about the pulling up of weeds that’s very validating. I even declare a “Ah ha! Got you, sucker!” when I pull up those extra pesky weeds that don’t seem to want to budge.
Whether you share my enthusiasm (or illness) for avenging the average household weed, I think we should all be enthusiastic about getting rid of invasive plant species in the area. Some, like the Japanese barberry, are taking over preserved lands and making it difficult for native plant species to survive.
At Schiff Nature Preserve, on Wednesday, May 19, join Schiff Trustee, Dr. Mike Van Clef of the Central Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team. You’ll learn how to recognize and remove these plants from your own yards, while helping Schiff get rid of some, too. It starts at 9:30 a.m.
The NJ Conservation Foundation will be having a walk to weed out invasive plants in Chester on Saturday, May 22. Those interested can meet at the Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center (170 Longview Rd.) at 9 a.m. (and it goes until noon). Registration is required, but they provide you with all of the tools you’ll need, plus snacks. Contact Carol@njconservation.org or 908-234-1225.
Two worthy organizations with one admirable goal. Adios invaders.
