On Saturday, May 24, from 9:00 to 11:30 AM, the AYLUS Dix Hills branch volunteered at Bethpage State Park to support local ecosystem restoration efforts. Volunteers focused on removing invasive mugwort from the Valley, specifically targeting a hedgerow of native Sweet Pepperbush. Thanks to rainfall from the previous days, the soil was softened, making it easier to pull out the mugwort by the roots—hopefully a more effective method than last year’s approach of cutting it at the base, which proved unsuccessful. Removing mugwort is critical, as it aggressively outcompetes native species by monopolizing sunlight, water, and nutrients. By eliminating this invasive plant, volunteers helped create space for native vegetation to recover and thrive. In addition, dead branches were pruned from trees to promote healthier growth, allowing trees to redirect their resources toward living tissue. Together, these efforts play a vital role in restoring balance to the local ecosystem and promoting biodiversity at Bethpage State Park.
Volunteers: Sunya Kong, Jake Wu, Jonathan Fan
Volunteer Hours: 2.5 hours each
