On June 27, 2026, volunteers from the AYLUS Great Neck Branch spent the morning at Bethpage State Park to help remove invasive species from their garden. Specifically, volunteers helped remove mugwort, an invasive plant that can outcompete native species harming the overall biodiversity of the garden. After instruction from park staff, volunteers worked to identify and remove mugwort from its roots to prevent regrowth in the future.There was a large amount of the invasive plant around the garden, many of which were deeply rooted making the physical work more demanding as the plants were harder to remove. However, although tired, everyone remained focused and determined, continuing to work and clear as much of the invasive vegetation as possible.
This activity helped demonstrate the importance of controlling invasive species as these plants can spread rapidly, taking over ecosystems, making it difficult for native species to thrive. By the end of the activity, large areas of mugwort had been cleared from the carden, creating more space for native plants to grow. Their efforts will have a lasting, beneficial impact on the garden’s ecosystem.
Reporter: Annabella Kang
2 hours:
Annabella Kang
Felicia Liu
Yuya Liu
Yingxiang Liu
Alice Wang
Katherine Zeng
Aimee Wang
Zachary Chen
