Invasive Plants Walk

Saturday, August 23rd, 9:00-11:00am
Bowdoinham, ME

Join Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) as we continue our Outside! 2014 series with an Invasive Plants Walk on Saturday, August 23rd from 9:00-11:00am. Participants are invited to walk some upland and a protected part of the Bowdoinham shoreline on Merrymeeting Bay while learning about various non-native species. This all-ages event is free and open to the public.

Invasive plants threaten biodiversity in fragile ecosystems like Merrymeeting Bay if they become the dominant species. Often lacking control by native diseases and predators in their new habitat, exotics can grow at accelerated rates, allowing them to outcompete endemic plants. You may recognize invasives like Japanese barberry, Oriental bittersweet, honeysuckle, or purple loosestrife in your yard or nearby trails. While often easy to identify, they can also be very difficult to minimize or eradicate.

The morning walk will be led by Nancy Sferra, Director of Science and Stewardship at The Nature Conservancy’s Maine chapter.  Attendees will learn to identify these species while learning what habitats they prefer and how best to eradicate or control them. Many folks, including landowners, hikers, gardeners, and botanists may be interested in knowing the role these plants play in our local environment and possible threats they pose to native/indigenous and rare Bay plants like Parker’s pipewort or Eaton’s bur-marigold.

Participants will meet in Bowdoinham and should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray. Pre-registration is required with Dup Crosson at 666-1118.

You can share the event on Facebook here.

FOMB works with volunteers on invasive removal projects for stewardship activities if the chances of successful control or eradication are high.

The next Outside! event is our annual Swan Island Outing on September 7th in Richmond. Pre-registration is required with trip leader Jay Robbins at 737-2239.

A discreet and controllable stand of phragmites along the Abbagadassett River. 
Photo: Point of View Helicopter Services