Ashford Invasive Plants

INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL WORK PARTY IN ASHFORD AT MOUNT HOPE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Joshua's Trust will be hosting an invasive removal work party at our Mount Hope Wildlife Sanctuary property on October 26 from 10am-1pm. This event is open to anyone. This will mark the beginning of a monthly (weather dependent) work party open to the public. You are encouraged to bring your own tools and gloves (loppers, pruning saws, shovels) but we will also have plenty to go around in case you cannot bring your own.

Directions: The property is located right off Route 89 in Ashford. The coordinates to the parking area are: 41°51'14.5"N 72°09'50.2"W. It is just south of house # 148 - there will be event signs on the roadside. We encourage carpooling as parking is limited.

If you plan on attending, please RSVP by replying to this email. If you'd like to be removed from this list, please let me know.

Past Events

JUNE WAS KNOTWEED EXHAUSTION MONTH

THE AIPWG IS TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO KNOTWEED IN WARRENVILLE, ADJACENT TO THE MT. HOPE RIVER

This sensitive location supports a good sized stand of Highly Invasive Japanese Knotweed, that is threatening to encroach on the riverbank and spread. We plan to use a novel mechanical method to control this invader by

1. safely taking the existing plants to the ground and removing the cut material,

2. overlaying the site with wire mesh cloth, which will eventually strangle new stalks that grow through the mesh and exhaust the energy reserves in the large rhizomes sitting under the soil.

MAY 4 SUNDAY 10:00 am -- noon POMPEY HOLLOW PARK

Meet at Pompey Hollow Park Sunday May 4, 10-12. We will be working in the area of the crushed stone path to the river overlook.

It's a good chance to learn what Burning Bush (Winged Euonymus), Barberry, non-native Honeysuckle, and Multiflora rose look like. These are all prolific seed-setters and they are crowding out the native plants our insects and (in turn) insectivorous birds rely upon.

Come see them and help take them out!

APRIL 5 SATURDAY 11:00 pm -- 1:00 pm POMPEY HOLLOW PARK

We will be cleaning up the path and river overlook of winter debris, cutting bittersweet vines, and pulling small invasives

Past Events

Bring your own gloves and hand tools if you can

MARCH 12 WEDNESDAY 6 PM KNOWLTON HALL to hear from Ashford residents who have tackled invasive plants on farm property and farm ponds, and about working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service on invasive plant removal and habitat restoration.