Jeremy Rogers, an inventory forester with the U.S. Forest Service, took pleasure in hacking away privet from the tree line around Aiken's "hidden bay" Saturday.
"I really don't like exotics," Rogers said. "They're taking over in parts of the state."
Rogers joined graduate students and other employees from the Savannah River Ecology Lab this weekend in clearing away invasive, non-native plant species from the area. They then planted native plants like blueberry bushes, azaleas and wildflowers to restore the area's natural habitat. The plants were provided by Woodlands Nursery.
Privet is a semi-evergreen shrub not native to North America. Its berries are poisonous to humans but are readily eaten by birds.
David Scott, SREL research ecologist, said privet was introduced to North America as an ornamental but has transformed into an invasive weed.
"The birds love it," he said, adding birds aid privet by eating its berries then disposing of the seeds, which usually fall to the ground.
The team of volunteer workers planted native grasses along the tree line and hoped to keep it maintained to ward off any reoccurrence of privet.
Elizabeth Burgess, an SREL graduate student, worked alongside Rogers on Saturday, hacking away at unwelcome plants.
"I believe in the restoration of native habitat, especially in a place like this where there is an opportunity for public outreach," she said.
Scott added that should SREL continue operating, the lab hopes to apply for a grant to expand educational awareness of the Carolina Bay.
Volunteer workdays to continue plant removal along the site will continue throughout the year. The removal is part of a grant funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that promotes watershed education and restoration.Aiken Standard
