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Piscataquog River Park Invasive Species Removal Days 2025

Friends of Piscataquog River Park

300 Precourt Street
Manchester, NH 03102
United States

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Family-Friendly

Yes

High Adventure

No

Setting

Outdoors

About the Event

Roundleaf bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is a deciduous, woody, perennial vine native to China, Japan, and Korea and was brought to this country in the mid-1800s as an ornamental plant. It can grow up to 15 feet per year and quickly infest an area. Bittersweet is now considered a serious invasive species because it poses a significant threat to native plants by winding around tree branches, making them weaker, and weighing them down until they fall over. Unfortunately, we have this invasive species in our park. While we may never be able to eradicate it completely, our goal is to reduce its current footprint, free native trees from their winding vines, and prevent new areas from being infested.

This winter, the Friends of Piscataquog River Park are hosting two work days to help reduce the impacts of bittersweet in our park: Saturday, February 15 and Saturday, March 29 from 10 am - 12 pm. We are looking for volunteers to help us cut and remove bittersweet vines. Sign up for one or both days!

This is a free event and a small training will be provided along with coffee and snacks in the morning. We encourage you to invite your family and friends, but please leave your furry friends at home since we'll be using sharp tools. We will also be working off-trail and on uneven terrain. Come help us improve the park and make it a place for all to enjoy!

What to bring

Tools, work gloves, and food will be provided, but please bring: - a water bottle - warm footwear and clothing to be outside and off-trail for a few hours - hats, gloves, and sunglasses, depending on the weather

Youth Instructions

All volunteers under 18 will need to be accompanied or have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Questions?

Contact Lauren Zielinski at friendsofprp@gmail.com or 603-848-6805.

Location Details

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