Despite the rainy drizzle, we had a very successful monthly invasive pull today! 18 volunteers gathered at the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden (just east of 3530 Swansacre), 7 of whom were joining for the very first time.
Grace Nombrado, Executive Director of Free the Fern, led the Invasive Pull, with Free the Fern board director, Sylvia Dickson, serving as volunteer co-lead. The event began with Grace offering a welcome and land acknowledgement. Then, Sylvia, invited the volunteers to introduce themselves and offer a stretch. After stretching, everyone felt limber and ready to get to work on the trail.
Our Invasive removal was focused on clearing an area down the Red Alder Trail, south of the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden. Growing under a grove of invasive black locust trees, were two species of invasive plants: wild chervil and common periwinkle.
Grace demonstrated how to remove both species. Wild chervil, which resembles parsley, has a long tap root (resembling a carrot), that is best dug out with a shovel. While, common perwinkle, has thinner, “hairy” roots, and can be removed, if the ground is moist, by hand.
In addition to removing wild chervil and periwinkle, we also discovered some invasive Himalayan blackberry growing within the area. So, some very determined volunteers were able to trim back and dig out the roots of a number of the shrubs.
Our volunteers worked hard together and were able to successfully clear 1,200 L of invasive plant material (4 green bins)! The transformation in the area was incredible!
Thank you to our dedicated volunteers who came out today: Anna, Anne (set-up), Barbara, Connor, Damian, Erin, Gary, Grace, Jeannine, Karen, Liam, Natasha, Pierson, PIppa, Sauha, Sylvia, Tom, and Tyson.
I didn’t take many photos today, as it was quite wet and everyone had their hoods up while working. But, I appreciated seeing the many colourful rain jackets!
