Out with the Invasive, In with the Native
Small flags dot the path along Riverwalk, noting the spots of freshly placed native plants.
The town’s tree board and volunteer invasive species removal team have added a new layer to their work along the popular greenway — planting native species in areas once dominated by invasive plants.
“Native plants are critical to maintaining a healthy ecosystem,” said Tim Logue, a former Tree Board member and a volunteer coordinator for the removal of invasive plant species. “Native plants provide greater and richer nutritional resources for insects, the birds that feed on those insects and other wildlife than non-native plants.”
This year, volunteers planted over 1,000 native plants of over 30 species, helping increase the biodiversity along Riverwalk. The plantings included sycamores, several species of oak, strawberry and elderberry.
“The plants have an impact beyond the landscape and beautifying the Eno’s banks,” Logue said. “These plants will also stabilize riverbanks and increase aquatic ecosystem health and diversity by capturing sediment and pollutants and by cooling summer water temperatures with shade.”
The Tree Board and its invasive species team work year-round, planting native plants in the winter and removing invasive plants the rest of the year.
Interested in volunteering?
The invasive species removal team gathers on Wednesdays for two hours in the afternoon in the cooler months and in the morning during the summer. Contact Administrative Support Specialist Lindsay Rhew by email or at 919-296-9600 to get connected.
Native Plant Month
Hillsborough’s mayor has issued a proclamation, recognizing April as Native Plant Month. The month highlights the vital role of native plants in overall ecosystem health and sustainability. Read the full proclamation below.
To learn how you can support the local ecosystem by planting native plants, visit the town’s Sustainability Initiatives webpage to read more about managed natural landscapes and native plants.
