Tennesseans are invited to participate March 5th in the state’s annual Weed Wrangle, part of a national effort to remove invasive plants from public spaces, according to a press release by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation.
“Parks across the state will be hosting events that will not only be great opportunities for volunteers to get outside and help restore their native natural beauty, but also provide the knowledge and skill to combat these non-native invaders at your own home,” according to the Tennessee State Parks.
Tennessee has 32 state parks participating in the event this year. During the day, state and community experts in invasive weed management will supervise the removal of trees, vines and flowering plants while volunteers learn ways to address their own green spaces to combat invasive species, the press release notes.
As described in the press release, examples of the efforts in the Weed Wrangle this year include Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park where volunteers will remove invasive English ivy along the park’s historic riverfront trail. At Paris Landing State Park, the group will remove several invasive plant and tree species from the Camp Hazlewood wildflower trail. At Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, volunteers will remove invasive species from planters and the butterfly garden.
The department encourages volunteers to wear appropriate work clothing, including proper footwear, and bring gloves if they have them, along with sunscreen, water and snacks.
The Weed Wrangle may be used by Tennessee Promise students for community service credit, the press release notes. The Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program focused on increasing the number of students that attend college in the Volunteer State.
To see the full list of state parks participating in Weed Wrangle this year, click here.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Weed Wrangle volunteers” by Weed Wrangle.
