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Let's Take Another Whack
At Stiltgrass This Saturday!
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Volunteer to Help and
Learn How to Manage
Japanese Stiltgrass
At East Woods Preserve!
The Invasives Project-Pound Ridge (TIP-PR) is seeking volunteers for another two hours on Saturday September 3, 2016 to help limit the spread of Japanese Stiltgrass in East Woods Preserve.
Over the last three years, test sites at East Woods Preserve have been established to monitor ways of eliminating this particularly aggressive invasive by pulling, weed whacking, and using fabric mulch to cover the plants.
Last weekend we made great progress on the site and need help to finish up our work.
We need:
1) Volunteers with weed whackers plus eye and ear protection and
2) Volunteers, who will pull the Stiltgrass out by hand.
The two groups will work at a safe distance apart, for a period of two hours.
How Did the Stiltgrass Establish Itself
In the Preserve?
The Stiltgrass began to grow following the Halloween storm (2011) or Hurricane Sandy (2012), when an opening in the tree canopy created the conditions for the Stiltgrass to grow.
Without intervention, the Stiltgrass will spread and shade tree seedlings, prevent forest regeneration, overtake the native flora and create a monoculture on the forest floor.
What to Expect?
Volunteers will learn strategies on how to prevent the grass from reseeding and spreading.
During the short hike into the invaded site, they will also learn from naturalists who will identify the native plants in the preserve.
To Participate:
Meet at the Town House parking lot (179 Westchester Avenue in Pound Ridge) on Saturday, September 3, at 9:45 am.
Volunteers will car pool to East Woods Preserve (parking at the preserve is limited).
Bring a weed whacker or kneeling pad, work gloves, water, etc. The work party will go from 10:00 am to noon.
Pre-registration is not required, but is appreciated. To indicate your interest in either date or for more information, contact:
Carrie Sears 763-3219 or csears47@yahoo.com
