To spotlight the problem of invasive plants in the community, the South Berwick Conservation Commission will join forces with the South Berwick Garden Club to sponsor a cleanup of traffic islands in the municipal parking lot at the corner of Main and Norton Streets at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 20.
“This is an ideal opportunity for the community to come together to learn more about invasive plant species and how to identify and remove them,” said Pat Robinson, Conservation Commission chairperson. “At the same time, people will be working together to beautify a key location in town just in time for the Strawberry Festival.”
Invasive plants are non-native species that disrupt local ecosystems by crowding out native plants. Often imported for use in landscaping, invasive plants like Russian olive and oriental bittersweet grow rapidly and quickly spread to the natural environment. Species like Japanese barberry can form thorny, impenetrable thickets in forests, while purple loosestrife can degrade the wetlands we depend on to protect water quality and provide a habitat for birds and fish.
Individuals and groups are urged to come, learn about invasive plants, help with the plant removal and with mulching the area. Please bring shovels, pruning and weeding tools. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, please call Pat Robinson at (207)384-4243 or Zelda Kenney @(207) 384-2650.
