By Makayla Hamlin
The Appomattox River is home to many of Virginia’s native species of plants, birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals. Yet, they are put at risk almost every day due to the spread of invasive species.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week, held in the last week of February, was created to raise awareness on invasive species, the threat of invasives, and how to prevent their spread. This year it will be held from February 24-28.
In honor of this important week, let’s reminisce on FOLAR’s experience with invasive species and talk about what you can do to stop and prevent the spread of certain species.
Chinese Wisteria is an ornamental flowering plant whose thickets on the ground shade out native species. It also tends to girdle trees (choke them). FOLAR has facilitated and led significant work with volunteers to remove it from several sites including Roslyn Landing in Colonial Heights, Ferndale in Dinwiddie, the Marina Overlook in Hopewell, and the Trailhead in Petersburg.
Other plants include Tree of Heaven, a fast-growing tree that releases a chemical in the ground that inhibits native plants. Another is English Ivy, a vine that takes over bare trees in the winter, covers the forest floor and blocks out the sun for native pants. Finally, there is the Mimosa Tree which inhibits the growth of native plants and produces seeds that contain a wildlife threatening neurotoxin.
It is important to note that all non-native plants are not invasive. These plants are invasive because of their negative competition with native plants and/or negative environmental impact.
It is possible for you to get involved with the removal of invasives. First, you can remove them in your own yard, with clippers and a trash bag. Throwing the plants away is the best way to ensure that they do not re-root.
You can make your own native plant garden in your backyard or in your community. Growing more native plants will help their populations and ensure that they will always be around.
Finally, you can volunteer with FOLAR and remove invasives at a site on the trail. With your help, we can all make sure our native species thrive!
RESOURCES:
National Invasive Species Awareness Week
Replacing Invasives with Natives – A Project Through Pictures
