The Stevens Point Forestry Department and some volunteers are working to help native plants thrive by removing invasive species that threaten to choke out the native plants.
A group of about 15 volunteers from the community and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point gathered at Iverson Park Saturday to remove buckthorn plants that had begun to take over a section of the park.
"What we're trying to do is work in an area and remove invasive plants by the theory the native plants will take over again," said Todd Ernster, Stevens Point Forester.
Buckthorn is a particularly harmful plant, Ernster said, because it leafs out earlier in the spring, cutting off light to native plants such as ferns and small trees. It also gives off a lot of seeds, which helps it spread very quickly.
Invasive plants don't only affect other plant life, but also animals.
"When it gets so thick, some of the native birds can't nest in that plant," Ernster said.
The plant removal Saturday was a trial run, Ernster said, and other removal projects should follow.
"We're just going to work with area organizations and people and build upon this," he said.
Paula O'Kray volunteered Saturday after hearing about the project through the Master Gardener program.
"It's an educational experience. The best way to learn is to be out there," she said. "You learn where it grows so when it shows up in my yard, I can go 'oh my God' and get rid of it," she said.
For volunteers, giving back to the community by doing this is its own reward, even if it may go unnoticed by the general public.
"It's a way to give back to the community," said John McDonald, who was working along with his wife Liz.
"It's very satisfying," Liz McDonald said.
"It's a good way for people to get their hands dirty and help improve our environment and native plants," Ernster said.
After a few hours of work, the team had removed a large amount of buckthorn plants ranging from small sprigs of it to plants the size of small trees. The pile of it that was in the parking lot will probably go to a paper mill to be burned as boiler fuel, Ernster said.Stevens Point Journal
