Volunteers Learn How to Identify and Manage Invasive Species

Volunteers are the backbone of the Land Alliance. Without them we simply would not be able to keep up with all the stewardship work that needs to get done. This year our volunteers have worked cumulatively more than 1,200 hours. They are some of the hardest working people we know, never shying away from a challenge. Whether it be hauling bamboo or removing hundreds of pounds of invasives from a pond or helping monitor preserve trails for damage, our volunteers do it all. Earlier this summer our volunteers and O’Neil Stewards were taken on a tour of Hope Goddard Iselin Preserve to investigate invasive species in the woodland and meadow. The tour was led by Abby, Melody and Kassidy from the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LIISMA). Throughout the trails, volunteers were introduced to invasive species that they may not have been familiar with. With LIISMA’s help, the group learned ways to identify invasives, where they like to grow and their impacts to their ecosystem. This knowledge is crucial for our volunteers to be able to distinguish between what they should pull and what should remain. With new invasives species appearing all the time, up-to-date information is one of the greatest tools in our toolbelt for protecting our environment. Thank you LIISMA for helping us and our volunteers stay informed! Sign up to Volunteer with North Shore Land Alliance! To learn more, visit www.northshorelandalliance.org/programs/volunteers-for-open-space/ and click the green Sign Up button or email [email protected]. Hope to see you soon!

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