Invasive Oriental Bittersweet to be controlled at Dodge Point on May 7

DRA will be partnering with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and the Maine Natural Areas Program to conduct an invasive plants on-site public education program and volunteer work day at Dodge Point on Thursday May 7. There will be a two hour presentation with a focus on an overview of the site and identification of the plant species and an herbicide demonstration. Following the work shop there will be a two hour volunteer work session to uproot Japanese Barberry by hand. The public is welcome to join for either or both sections of the day. Work gloves are required to participate in the work event. Registration required by contacting DRA at dra@damariscottariver.org or 563-1393.

In the summer of 2014 Nancy Olmstead, the invasive plant biologist for the Maine Natural Areas Program and her assistant surveyed Dodge Point for invasive species. The team identified and mapped a number of invasive plants of concern, most notably Japanese Barberry, Morrow’s Honeysuckle and Oriental Bittersweet. For information on these and other invasive plants in Maine visit http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mnap/features/invasive_plants/invasives.htm.

DRA played a central role in the conservation of Dodge Point. In partnership with the Land for Maine’s Future Program, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and numerous community members. Today DRA continues to serve as the local management partner with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands in maintaining these public reserved lands and trails as beloved community resources.