Attack of the invasive plants – at Gillette Castle in East Haddam

It can be difficult to believe sometimes, that such pretty plants can be considered a danger to the environment – such as the Autumn Olive – but when they crowd out native species they disrupt the local habitat. Photo source: Connecticut Invasive Plants Working Group

Gillette Castle State Park is under attack – by invasive plants.

What are invasive plants?  —    Very often, they are plants brought here from another part of the country or even another country that grow so aggressively they crowd out native plants.

There are invasive plants with root systems so thick and tangled and sprawling, they can become almost impossible to eradicate.

At Gillette Castle state park (67 River Road in East Haddam), UConn master gardeners are hosting work days to battle invasive plants threatening this historic and scenic area.

The East Haddam Land Trust is looking for volunteers to join work parties to help with the final phase of a three-part project.

The first two parts – a series of nature walks and an information booth about invasive plants – took place over the summer. (More than 200 people visited the information booth over the course of a few weekends.)

Phase three is about rolling up our sleeves and doing battle … with the invasive weeds.

Work parties will gather on Oct. 11 and 12 – with two sessions each day (so choose the one that works for you), from 9 a.m. to noon and from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Gillette Castle in East Haddam, CT. Photo source: CT DEEP

Grab the kids or a couple of friends who want to do something positive for the environment and join in.

To sign up, send an email to AliensatGilletteCastle@gmail.com

You can also learn more on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/162315090559556/

Posted October 7, 2012

Related link: A web site for businesses in the “green” industries (i.e. nurseries) keeping track of invasive species and  other topics ` http://www.flowersplantsinct.com/invasive_index.htm

The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group http://www.cipwg.uconn.edu

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