On Sunday, August 24th, from 9:30 to 12pm, volunteers from the AYLUS Dix Hills branch participated in an environmental restoration project at the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center. Their mission was to remove invasive plant species from the flower beds and replace them with native foliage.
The group began by carefully removing invasive weeds such as Phragmites and Mugwort, focusing first on a central area while taking care to preserve beneficial native plants. Once the initial section was cleared, volunteers expanded their efforts to nearby locations, including the area surrounding the wind turbine blade.
In addition to weeding, the volunteers planted native flowers like Black-Eyed Susans to help restore and beautify the space. A smaller group also worked to cut down a willow tree known to attract Spotted Lanternflies—an aggressive invasive insect species harmful to local ecosystems.
Through their efforts, the volunteers not only reduced the presence of invasive plants and pests but also helped revitalize the habitat by introducing beneficial native species, contributing to the protection and restoration of the natural environment.
Volunteers: Aki Cheng, Jake Wu, Jonathan Fan
Volunteer Hours: 2.5 hours each
