Public Lands Day Takes Aim at Invasive Plants - Allegheny National Forest

By lori elmquist on May 5, 2009

The Allegheny NF and volunteers worked hard to remove invasive plant species at the Buckaloons Recreation on Public Lands Day 2008.

In an effort to improve native plant habitat at the Buckaloons Recreation Area, Ecologist April Moore of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) arranged a "plant pull" for volunteers on National Public Lands Day 2008. "Today we are digging up old soil, which currently isn't very deep and removing non-native species or invasive species that harm the plants that are trying to grow here," said April. Invasive plant species included garlic mustard, honeysuckle, and purple loosestrife.

Once established, the native plants that replaced the pulled invasive plants will have an advantage as they are adapted to the climate and soils, and require little maintenance. The native grasses, blue and red cardinal flowers, and cinnamon and lady fern will blossom this spring and provide habitat for many years because they are resilient species.