Boston Flora

Tag: invasive plants

  • Wednesday, May 29, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Invasive Plants: What Are They? And What Can Be Done?

    The Ecological Landscaping Association will sponsor a free educational event on Wednesday, May 29, from 6 – 8, at Cold Spring Park, 1200 Beacon Street in Newton, entitled Invasive Plants: What are They? And What Can Be Done? Invasive plant species damage the lands and waters that native plants and animals need to survive. What are they and what harm do they do to the ecosystem?  Newton native and ELA Board member Bruce Wenning is an invasive plant specialist.  During visits to Cold Spring Park, Bruce discovered that several types of invasive plants are present and spreading along the trails. Join Bruce for a professionally guided walking tour at Cold Spring Park  to learn how to identify several different types of invasive plants spread and what removal methods are effective on each.  Bruce will also discuss the important topic of how to properly dispose of invasive plants once removed.  Registrations are limited – for more information call 617-436-5838 or email ela.info@comcast.net.  You may register on line at https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1010424.

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  • Invasive Plant Photography Contest

    Photographs are an important tool for the Sudbury Weed Education and Eradication Team (SWEET) to bring attention to the harm invasive plants do to our private, historic and conservation properties.  SWEET is seeking photographs which are either (1) scenic shots showing a site in the Sudbury, Assabet or Concord River watershed being affected by invasive species, (2) detailed close ups which could be used for education, or (3) photo collage highlighting your creative skill using photographs of invasive plants and digital software.  All photographs must be framed or core foam boarded and should measure at least 8 x 10 and no more than 16 x 20.  Judging categories are: professional, amateur adult, 12 – teen, and Kindergarten – grade 5.  To learn about the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Watershed areas, visit www.Sudbury_Assabet_Concord.org.  The website covers the wild and scenic rivers and activities which highlight the wonders and concerns of these important river watersheds in which we live.

    Images must show one or more of the species as listed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.  Find the Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List, images and identification information at www.mass.gov/agr/farmproducts/prohibitedplantlist.htm.  Photographs will be previewed on Saturday, September 15 from 10:30 – 12 noon, or Sunday, September 23, from 2 – 4, at Ames Hall, 26 Concord Road, Sudbury.  Works meeting conditions of the contest will be installed and judged at Goodnow Public Library on November 1 and displayed through the end of the month.  There will be a people’s choice award voting box set up in the library – please stop by to cast a vote for your favorites!  Winning photograph will be used for educational and public outreach projects.  For more information, email SWEETinvasives@gmail.com.  Photo of water chestnuts below from New England Wild Flower Society.

  • Tuesday, August 14, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm – The Invasive Plant Issue and Invasive Plant Identification

    The Invasive Plant Issue: why should you be concerned? Enhance your ability to readily identify invasive plants as well as their look-alikes, at this seminar to be held Tuesday, August 14, from 9 – 3:30 at the Doubletree Hotel in Milford. Discussion of the strategies and recommendations of the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group, and the recently released Early Detection/Rapid Response Priority List document. Part 3 of the Invasive Plant Certification Program. To register, go to http://www.umassgreeninfo.org . $75. For more information, call Ellen Weeks at 413-545-0895 or email her at eweeks@umext.umass.edu.

  • Friday, July 20, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Invasive Plant Workshop

    Elizabeth Farnsworth is Senior Research Ecologist at the New England Wild Flower Society and Research Associate at Harvard Forest. On Friday, July 20, from 2 – 4, she will introduce Go Botany, a brand new interactive, online plant sharing and identification tool, at Harvard Forest, 324 Main Street in Petersham.  Part of the training will also take place in the field, identifying flora around Harvard Forest. Participants are encouraged to bring laptops, iPods and iphones for easy identification. Participants will also be asked to continue stewardship work on conservation land in their area by identifying invasives and reporting them to the Go Botany blog. Whether you have photographs, sketches, stories about using the Go Botany tool or recipes for cooking with invasives your experiences will help track invasive plants in the North Quabbin region.  The program is free.

    Please RSVP to Aja Lippincott, AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust: 978-248-2055 ext. 21, or by email at outreach_americorps@mountgrace.org.

  • Wednesday, April 25, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Invasive Plants: Understanding the Threat to Our Parks and Backyards

    The Ecological Landscaping Association and the Newton Parks and Recreation Department are sponsoring a free program on Wednesday, April 25, from 6 – 8, on Invasive Plants: Understanding the Threat to Our Parks and Backyards, at Cold Spring Park, 1200 Beacon Street in Newton.  Invasive plant species damage the lands and waters that native plants and animals need to survive.  What are invasive plant species and what harm to they to to an ecosystem?  Newton native and ELA Board Member Bruce Wenning is an invasive plant specialist.  During visits to Cold Spring Park, Bruce discovered that several types of invasive plants are present and spreading along the trails.  Join Bruce for a walking tour at Cold Spring Park to learn how to identify several types of invasive plants and learn what you can do in your own landscape to safely remove them.  Bruce will explain how different types of invasive plants spread and what removal methods are effective on each.  He will also discuss the important topic of how to safely dispose of the invasive plants once removed from the landscape.  Registrations are limited. Call 617-436-5838, or email ela.info@comcast.net.

  • Wednesday, March 7, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Invasive Plants: Just Too Overwhelming?

    Invasive plants can cause catastrophic habitat loss and pose an imminent threat to the rare plants and botanical heritage of our Commonwealth. Managing these species can be costly, complicated and overwhelming. The most effective strategies are always the result of a clear and organized plan, whether you are responsible for 400 square feet or 40 acres. Join us for an interactive presentation that explores why and how to tackle this challenge, including invasive plant protocols and treatment strategies. Speaker Seth Wilkinson is a widely respected expert in ecological restoration and has served on the board of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions for the past decade. Come hear him at the Cambridge Public Library on Wednesday, March 7, beginning at 7 pm. The program is free – call 617-354-0502 for more information.

  • Friday, September 30, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Invasive Plants: Identification, Ecology, and Control

    This September 30 class led by Ted Elliman, Vegetation Management Coordinator of the New England Wild Flower Society, provides an introduction to about 40 invasive non-native plants most commonly found in local landscapes. Through the combination of a classroom presentation, access to herbarium specimens, and a walk outside, you will become familiar with identification clues as well as the habits of a number of these plants. You will also discuss management techniques, appropriate for both small- and large-scale landscapes, for many of these species. The Invaders issue of the New England Wild Flower Society’s magazine and the MA Field Guide to Invasives will be available for purchase at a discount. Bring your lunch and a hand lens if you have one. This class takes place at New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods, from 10 – 2.  Co-sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University and the New England Wild Flower Society, you may register on line at www.my.arboretum.harvard.edu.  $48 for members of the sponsoring organizations, $58 for nonmembers.

  • Saturday, September 4, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Invasive Plant Control for Homeowners

    Invasive plants are an increasing threat to the environment as bittersweet, Japanese barberry, garlic mustard, and multiflora rose (below)  sweep rampant through the landscape. This discussion centers on what homeowners can do to eliminate or control these pest plants. Learn to identify these rogue plants, and the mechanical, chemical, and biological techniques available for controlling and eliminating them. Consider how to evaluate potential invasive plant problems and how and when to effectively control their spread in this Berkshire Botanical Garden workshop, to be held Saturday, September 4, from 10 – 12, at the Garden at 5 West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge.

    Jack Sprano is a Western Massachusetts Master Gardener and long-time garden enthusiast. He has cleared a six-acre property full of invasives and has developed multiple strategies for controlling these plants. He is currently a board member of the Berkshire Botanical Garden.  $18 for members of BBG, $24 for non members.  Register online at www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Saturday, August 7, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Exciting Introductions or Stealth Invaders?

    There is a lot of concern today about invasive plants, but many were intentionally introduced because of their horticultural value. How do we define invasive and how did these plants get into our landscape? See examples in the Arnold Arboretum landscape and gain a better understanding of this issue. Led by Docent Marty Amdur on Saturday, August 7, from 1 – 2:30 pm, this program is free. No registration required.  For more information, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

  • Wednesday, April 28, 7:00 pm – Managing Invasive Plants

    Land’s Sake, Inc. is a not for profit organization with a mission to connect people with the land. On Wednesday, April 28, beginning at 7 pm in the Conference Room of the Weston Public Library, come hear how exotic invasive plants are the silent and secret invaders of our neighborhoods, communities and Nation. Come learn about the eight ecological traits of invasive plant behavior that make these plants pests of our native landscapes. You will review organic and chemical control techniques for the top 16 exotic invasive plants plaguing eastern Massachusetts. Free, but please rsvp at 781-893-1163.

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