By Rachel Fioret, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Woolwich Observer
Dealing with a noxious weed like buckthorn is very much a hands-on job, and the Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC) is looking for people to do just that.
The group has organized a pair of weed-pulling community events in St. Jacobs and Elmira this weekend. Volunteers are asked to join in on Saturday (2-4 p.m.) at the Health Valley Trail in St. Jacobs and Victoria Glen Park in Elmira.
The goal is to remove by hand buckthorn shoots, an invasive species often found in woodlands and open fields, where it forms dense stands under which few other plants can grow. Stands of buckthorn can invade roadsides, riverbanks, mature forests, farm fields and hydro corridors.
While herbicides can be applied to large, established tracts of the weed, hand removal is an effective way to deal with it, according to Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program.
To that end, the TWEEC effort is looking for many hands to make light work of things this weekend.
“There is a big group of people that like to come out to as many things as they can,” said Audrey Gleeson, a volunteer with Trees for Woolwich.
She and her husband Patrick are volunteers with the township in support of various environmental endeavors, and have been working on the buckthorn project for a number of years.
“We’ve been gradually working at trying to get it under control. It’s a multi-year project,” said Patrick Gleeson of the buckthorn effort.
Introduced to North America over a century ago, buckthorn is a small shrub that has aggressively spread across the province.
Its presence in Ontario has altered nitrogen levels in the soil and blocked sunlight from reaching native plants.
Experts at dealing with the invasive pest, the Gleesons have it all down to a science.
“The ideal buckthorn pulling is right now, because most of the leaves have fallen off the different trees and bushes,” shared Patrick.
“The buckthorn has a particular shiny leaf that, once you get good at it and there isn’t too much undergrowth, you can spot it at 10 to 20 metres, then go over and confirm it,” he explained of the process.
The couple uses the app PlantNet to identify buckthorn and other invasive species while out in the field.
He noted that without breaking the roots, the best way to remove the plant is to gently pull with two hands, ensuring that all the roots come out.
“We shake off the dirt and we set the roots up on a stump or a log or something, so they don’t regrow,” he said.
These kinds of community events are a good way to get people involved in the long-term environmental health of the township, the Gleesons maintain.
A former teacher, Audrey said there is “real value in kids that are 10 and 11 and 12 years old, coming along with their parents and doing work jobs like this and this is the future for our environment.”
Patrick added that “it’s a pleasure to work with like-minded people who want to help the environment and improve the environment in Woolwich Township.”
To attend the St.Jacobs pull, meet at Health Valley Trail entrance at 35 Albert St. E.
To attend the Elmira pull, meet at 28 Victoria St. More information can be found online at www.healthywoolwich.org/events.
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