The AYLUS Dix Hills Branch worked on Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center, removing invasive plant species from the area (Mugwort and Phragmites) to protect the native plants and natural scenery, along with collecting seeds from dead flowers (New England Aster, Black-Eyed Susan, and Coneflower) to spread around later and promote the growth of native species.
Volunteers walked around the gardens with scissors and clippers, removing the heads containing seeds from the Phragmites, almost completely removing them from the gardens, along with removing a lot of Mugwort by completely pulling them out of the ground. In total, roughly three bags were completely filled with compacted Phragmites and Mugwort after finishing. Volunteers went inside only after removing all Phragmites they had found, continuing to work as rain came in until the Phragmites were removed. Afterwards, volunteers went inside the Net-Zero building to remove seeds from deceased New England Asters, Black-Eyed Susan’s, and Coneflowers, storing them, and creating labeled seed packets. Seed packets were stored at the building’s entrance for visitors to take and spread around their own gardens, and for spreading around the gardens in the premises.
Volunteers: Bryan Fan (2.5 hours) and Jonathan Fan (3 hours)
