The Tryon Daily Bulletin

Kudzu is not the only invasive plant to cause problems in the area, FENCE officials said. Oriental bittersweet (top left), Japanese honeysuckle (top right), English ivy (bottom left) and privet are some of the other plants volunteers will remove April 18 along FENCE’s Wildwood Trail. (photos submitted by Kristy Burja)

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Invasive plant project at FENCE

Published 5:38pm Monday, April 9, 2012

In support of National Volunteer Week, April 16 – 20, FENCE, in partnership with AmeriCorps Project Conserve, will host an invasive species removal project on Wednesday, April 18 at 9 a.m.
The project will focus on removing invasive plant species along the Wildwood Trail at FENCE.
“Invasive plants destroy countless acres of native habitat,” FENCE organizers said. “They often decrease or eliminate the biodiversity that exist within these ecosystems. Removing invasives helps to restore that biodiversity.”
Kudzu is a well-known invasive plant in this area, but oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, English ivy and privet are also common.
FENCE will supply all the equipment and supplies needed for the project, but volunteers should bring their own water bottles and lunches. Because poison ivy and thorny bushes are present on the trail, FENCE recommends volunteers wear long sleeves and pants.
AmeriCorps Project Conserve is a service organization that focuses on conservation efforts in Western North Carolina.
If you are interested in participating in this service project, please contact Kristy Burja, Nature Education Assistant, at (828) 859-9021 ext. 13 or education@fence.org.
– article submitted
by Kristy Burja