Join WNC Alliance for June 15 plant removal

From WNC Alliance:

ASHEVILLE – The Western North Carolina Alliance seeks volunteers to participate in an invasive exotic plant management/control event on Saturday, June 15 in Richmond Hill Park. (In other words, we need help getting rid of some nasty weeds that are taking over a bike trail!)

Details
Who: Western North Carolina Alliance (volunteer work day)
What: Invasive Exotic Plant Management/Control
Where: Richmond Hill Park, Asheville, NC
When: 9 a.m. –1 p.m. Saturday, June 15 (but we welcome even a couple of hours of help!)
Rain Date: June 22

Why: To restore native plant communities by controlling exotic invasive plants along a mountain bike trail in Richmond Hill Park

These plants were introduced in earlier decades, both deliberately and accidentally, and have escaped into areas of our public lands. Invasive exotic plants out-compete native plants for space, sunlight, water, and nutrients, often causing a decline in biodiversity. They can also take over and destroy native food sources, leaving wildlife with food that provides little to no nutritional value for their needs.

WNCA staff will give instruction on how to identify invasive exotic plants of concern in the park, as well as how to use manual and chemical control methods.

Then we’ll put these skills to work treating invasive plant species found along the trail. WNCA will provide gloves and equipment needed for the event. Volunteers are asked to bring lunch and water. Long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and old shoes or hiking boots (no open shoes or sandals) are required, even during warm weather.

If you want to join us, please RSVP to WNCA Volunteer Coordinator Cynthia Camilleri by emailing Cynthia@WNCA.org, or by calling (828) 258-8737, ext. 207.