On Sunday, March 3rd, the Great Neck Branch dedicated their time to volunteering at Bethpage State Park, focusing on the removal of invasive plants to enhance our community. Covering nearly 1,500 acres, Bethpage State Park boasts five world-class golf courses, along with amenities such as picnic areas, playing fields, bridle paths, and hiking and biking trails. The park’s horticulturist meticulously tends to acres of gardens, prioritizing native plant species that support local pollinators. Our efforts were concentrated near the picnic road, an area recognized by the park’s horticultural team as heavily affected by invasive species. As we continue our ongoing battle against these intruders, it’s important to note that invasive plants, often non-native, can monopolize habitats, crowding out indigenous flora and providing little sustenance for wildlife. They pose a significant threat to ecosystems, ranking only behind development and climate change. Thanks to the considerable turnout of volunteers, we made substantial progress and are immensely proud of our collective achievement. Moreover, the day’s beautiful weather served as the perfect backdrop for our efforts, underscoring our commitment to bettering the environment.
Members who participated(2.5hrs): Fanxi Xia, Zoe Xia, Kevin Zhang, Andrew Qian, Maggie Xiao, Bryan Zhang, Emily Zhang, Chris ji, Syro Tan, Shiyue Zhang, Bob Xia, Yingxiang Liu Eva Westbay
