The AYLUS Dix Hills branch volunteers worked together at the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center to clear away invasive species of plants from the gardens surrounding the center. Volunteers cleared away invasive plants that were choking out the native plants that were beneficial for the surrounding ecosystem, targeting specifically Mugwort and Spotted Knapweed. Although some invasive species look nice and can add a splash of color to a monotonous landscape, they harm the environment far more than they can provide for it, giving the need to remove them. This removal of harmful vegetation provides the opportunity for many species of plant that actually helps the land to grow and thrive, as shown by how some species of plants that hadn’t been documented in the area for decades were found after the removal of invasive plants. The repeated clearing of invasive vegetation is required for the ecosystem to readjust from their removal, as the empty space could yet again be taken over by the harmful plants, so they have to be removed until the native specimens can take over the area and form a new thriving ecosystem.
Volunteers: Jonathan Fan (3 hrs), Min Zheng (3 hrs).
