White mugwort, an invastive plant
Byram. Volunteers are sought to assist the Byram Township Environmental Commission with the removal of emerging invasive plants 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 8, along the Tamarack Park Trail. This event will occur rain or shine.
Participants will meet at C.O. Johnson Park, across from the trail entrance on Roseville Road, where they will learn how to identify specific emerging invasive plants and how to properly remove them.
Invasive plants are not native to the area and take up large amounts of space that would otherwise be occupied by various native species. Unchecked, invasive plants choke out native plants, adversely impacting animals and insects.
Last year, the Environmental Commission secured a grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions to identify and report the location of invasive plants on the Tamarack Park Trail. Following that effort, the Township Forester developed a removal plan.
For this year’s removal project, volunteers will be given bottled water, work gloves, and bags in which to collect invasive plants with flowers and seeds. Volunteers are reminded to wear their masks and asked to bring bug and tick repellant, sunscreen and hand tools such as clippers, shovels and pitchforks.
To register as a volunteer, email kat.climate.nj@gmail.com.