Volunteers Sought For Invasive Plant Removal
LITTLE ROCK, ARK.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is seeking volunteers to assist in removing Chinese privet, an exotic invasive species plant, as part of the Arkansas Watershed Stewards Program on Feb. 15.
The event is being held at the Cooperative Extension Service headquarters, located at 2301 S. University Ave. in Little Rock from 9 a.m. until noon. The invasive plant removal event will allow participants the opportunity to learn more about the impacts of invasive plants, their associated environmental and water quality impacts and recommended methods of treatment and removal.
The event will also allow an opportunity for volunteers to directly improve the environmental quality of Coleman Creek, a tributary to Fourche Creek and the Arkansas River. Among the improvements volunteers will be able to make for the local environment are increased pollinator habitat, stream bank stabilization, and natural forest regeneration.
John Pennington, extension water quality educator for the Division of Agriculture, said invasive species can rob available natural resources from native plants, and tend to thrive when none of their natural predators are present.
“It’s amazing how many undesirable impacts that exotic invasive species like Chinese privet and others can have on our environment,” Pennington said. “Thankfully, there are people in central Arkansas like Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists, specifically, who want to tackle the problem.”
Volunteers will also be able to contribute to citizen science by establishing invasive plant removal demonstration sites where effectiveness of treatments will be measured over time.
Partners in the event include the University of Arkansas Master Gardeners, Arkansas Master Naturalists, the Arkansas Natural Resources Division, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Volunteers are encouraged to wear long sleeves and to bring their work gloves.
To learn more about participating in the Chinese privet removal event, invasive plants in Arkansas, or the Arkansas Watershed Steward Program, contact Extension Water Quality Educator John Pennington at jhpennington@uaex.edu or visit http://www.uaex.edu . ∆