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BATH — It takes little time for Cheri Brunault to find invasive plants in Sewell Woods, a conservation property in North Bath owned by the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust.
Just a few steps from the entrance to the woods off Whiskeag Road is a healthy patch of multiflora rose, the clusters of petite white flowers shooting off the thorny canes.
Like the other invasive plants found on a recent trek in Sewall Woods, these types of roses were brought to the area many years ago as ornamental plants in gardens, but quickly spread into the wild, crowding out other plants and trees and destroying food sources of native animals.
Now the land trust and others are trying to pare back the invasives. KELT and the Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District are partnering to hold free educational workshops focused on invasive plant management. These programs will provide residents and property managers across the region with information to support identifying, managing and eradicating the harmful plants.
A program Saturday, Aug. 25, will focus on statewide invasive plant monitoring and management efforts, and a program Sunday, Sept. 16, will demonstrate methods that can be used to treat invasive plants using manual or chemical means.
Brunault will also share information about some of the methods the land trust is using to manage these plants. These are light rain or shine events, and registration is strongly encouraged at www.kennebecestuary.org or 207-442-8400.
To find out more about invasive plants, the Maine Natural Areas Program has images and fact sheets for a variety of the invasive plants in Maine. These resources can be found at www.maine.gov/dacf/mnap/features/invasive_plants/invasives.htm.
The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust is a membership supported organization dedicated to protecting the land, water and wildlife of the Kennebec estuary. It maintains nine preserves for public enjoyment and has protected 3,600+ acres of land since founding in 1989. Fore more information visit www.kennebecestuary.org or call 207-442-8400.
