Head out to Smelt Brook Preserve with the York Land Trust staff and conduct invasives species monitoring on and along the marsh. This survey will help us understand the concentration of invasive species on Smelt Brook Preserve for future removal and remediation. Participants will learn about six prevalent common invasive species, how to locate them, and what kinds of conditions they like to grow in. Some of the common invasives that we might encounter are buckthorn, barberry, honeysuckle, phragmites, burning bush, and bittersweet. Volunteers will be splitting into small groups and walking along predetermined transects along Smelt Brook Preserve, and tracking invasives found along the way. We will be using the Landscape phone app to pin species found, take pictures, and digitally view the transects.

This event is open to plant ID beginners and experts alike and will provide volunteers with a great opportunity to learn about a range of plants, their growth needs, life cycle, and the overall ecosystem impact.