On 12/4 from 9:30-12:30, the Roslyn Branch went to Caumsett State Historic Park Preserves to
help clear out some barriers and remove invasive plants. While we were there, we worked
together with other volunteers from the Syosset Branch.
The first job was to remove the metal stakes and ropes around the Baltimore Checkerspot
Butterfly Hill. The Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly is a rare species to find in Long Island.
Caumsett State Park is one of the only parks to have these butterflies. To preserve them, the
park rangers have to maintain its habitat. In the spring and summer, the caterpillars start
breeding and forming chrysalises, and stakes and rope are put around the hill so that they are
not trampled over. However, in the winter, the caterpillars are dormant underground, so it is the
perfect time to mow the grass, to make sure they can move around. We removed all of the
stakes and rope so that the lawnmowers could do their job as best as they could.
Another job was to remove the invasive plants from the parking lot. The invasive plant is called
mugwort. Mugwort is tall, and shades over the native plants that grow in the park, which doesn’t
allow them to grow. In order to prevent the mugwort from regrowing, we had to remove the
entire plant from the roots. Some of the mugworts was tough to pull from the ground and
required the use of tools. In the end, we spread the new seeds of native plants in the areas
where the mugwort was removed.
All of the volunteers were proud of the work that was accomplished, and we look forward to
seeing more of the native flowers blossom in the spring.
Members who participated include:
Isabelle Tsui(3 hours), and Natalie Tsui(3 hours)
Reporter: Isabelle Tsui
