Local Boy Scouts were a big help at a recent workday to eradicate invasive plant species at the town lot next to IGA on Saturday, Dec. 16. Troop 150 and their leaders, Lori Nichols and Tim Nichols teamed up with Conserving Carolina (formerly Pacolet Area Conservancy and Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy) to take on the invasive species that have taken over the lot.

The Scouts learned about the non-native and invasive species at one of their recent Scout meetings where Max Howes, an AmeriCorps Project Conserve member serving as the habitat restoration and volunteer coordinator for Conserving Carolina, came and spoke to them on the subject.

The Scouts learned how to identify invasive species and specific eradication practices by working with Conserving Carolina volunteers and Howes on the lot, and they removed a noticeable amount of the undesirable plants. While getting their hands dirty, the Scouts saw firsthand how invasive species can take over a landscape and experienced that, with a little time and effort, it is possible to get rid of them. Conserving Carolina thanks the Scouts and volunteers for their enthusiasm and service to the community.

Conserving Carolina has weekly workdays on the town lot on Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m. If interested in volunteering, email Max Howes at max@conservingcarolina.org. For more information and volunteer opportunities, visit the Conserving Carolina website, conservingcarolina.org. 

– submitted by Max Howes