Friends of Blackwater was recently awarded a grant from the National Forest Foundation to begin the Blackwater Rail Trail Botanical Restoration project. Today, non-native “invasive species” like autumn olive, stilt weed, multiflora rose, garlic mustard, Tartarian honeysuckle, and Japanese barberry are choking out native plants like milkweed, an essential host for migrating Monarch butterflies.
This project will remove many of the worst invasive species — those that present the most harm to native plants and animals — and replant the area with beneficial native species, many of which will be grown from seeds collected from existing native plant populations!
This project won’t be possible without the help of in-person volunteers. All of the tasks will be completed outside or at your home, so the risks associated with COVID-19 exposure are minimal or non-existent.
Volunteering Opportunities:
- Identifying and tagging invasive species
- Remaining work days to remove targeted invasive species are:
- October 21st (wed), 24th (sat), 28th (wed)
- November 4th (wed)
- October 21st (wed), 24th (sat), 28th (wed)
- Grow native seedlings at your home to plant in Winter/Spring 2021
- “Grow bundles” and instructions will be available to pick up in November and December
- Participate in native species planting days in Spring 2021
On each scheduled workday, volunteers should meet at the Buxton and Landstreet Gallery at 571 Douglas Rd, Thomas, WV 26292 at 9 am. We will caravan to the Rail Trail and will work until noon each day.
Visit our volunteering page and tell us how you’d like to help with this restoration project! Contact emmie@saveblackwater.org for more information.
