Invasive Plant Removal
Our target areas for invasive plants this year include Bellevue Pond, Spot Pond, and Greenwood Park. Volunteers have removed 42 large bags of garlic mustard from all three of these locations. The Student Conservation Association (SCA) removed vast amounts of garlic mustard from Greenwood Park’s Dana’s Meadow and Bellevue Pond in May.
Volunteers started to prep-cut the Japanese knotweed at Greenwood Park. In September, a DCR-licensed contractor will administer a foliar spray to the regrown knotweed. The spray is applied during a window called the “FFFF” or “final flower, first frost” window. This is the prime time to apply herbicide to the plant, for this is when the plant pulls its energy and resources back into the rhizomes to prepare for winter. The prep-cut is critical because it reduces the height of the plant and allows the contractors to apply herbicide at a safe height (not over their heads).
Buckthorn, bittersweet, multiflora rose, and porcelain berry continue to be removed at all three of these sites. These four plants tend to be targets year-round for our volunteers.
Hikes
Volunteer hike leaders have guided over 45 outings across the Fells so far this year. The summer is shaping up to be full of plant walks, history walks, social strolls, and more. Check out our full lineup of events here.
Trail Closures
The three unofficial trails that were closed at Greenwood Park in December remain closed! We are thrilled with the success of these trail closures and look forward to continuing this work at other locations across the Fells. Why are we closing these trails? To reduce our impact on the Fells and to restore sensitive habitats for our plant and wildlife species. Learn more about unofficial trails and our work here.
Three more unofficial trails will be closed with volunteers and students in the ninth-grade Erath Science class at Stoneham High School this June. Be sure to head to the Bear Hill Parking Lot to check out their hard work!
Thank you!
We’d like to thank the following groups who have joined us since January and have made a big impact in helping us remove invasive plants, pick up trash, and work on trails:
ALKU
American Tower
Boston Cares
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Elaine Construction Company
Melrose High School Cross Country
Repair the World Boston
Tufts Leonard Carmichael Society
Ultragenyx
Winchester Cub Scouts
Winchester Girl Scouts
Interested in assisting these efforts? Apply to volunteer here!
Want to volunteer with your group, company, school, or team? Learn more about our group volunteering opportunities here.
Reach out to friends@fells.org if you have any questions or if you’d like to get more involved in these efforts.