Weed Warriors to ‘Free the Trees’


October 12, 2012 · 11:29 AM

The Student Conservation Corps and Weed Warriors will team up for intergenerational efforts to “free the trees” from noxious ivy at Fort Ward and Blakely Park today and tomorrow, and more volunteers are welcome.

From 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13, the Student Conservation Corps and Weed Warrior coalition will focus on severing ivy around the trees at Fort Ward by cutting, hacking, and whacking it away from the trees at waist height.

Organizers of the effort said the work will prevents the ivy from reaching the tree canopy where it can form berries which are then consumed and dispersed by birds across the island, re-infesting areas such as the Grand Forest where ivy has already been cleared.

Volunteers should park near the boat ramp.

On Saturday, Oct. 27 the group will be at Blakely Park from 1 to 3 p.m. to prepare for revegetation with native plants.

For more information contact Jeannette Franks at jfranks1@comcast.net or 206-755-8461 or Mike Mejia at 206-245-7317 or mike@biparks.org.

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