Gardners Get Green Light To Uproot Invasive Species

The Ledyard Garden Club and the Conservation Commission received a $3,100 grant from the Rivers Alliance to clear out the Poquetanuck Cove boat launch of invasive species and reintroduce native plants to the area.

“We thought it would be nice to pretty it up and replant with plants that should be there,” said Peg Welles who serves on both groups.

The cove stretches from the Thames River up to Preston and is a designated bird sanctuary by the State of Connecticut.

According to the DEEP, “the cove's brackish to freshwater marshes provide regionally-signficant fish and wildlife habitat.” The 1.5 mile trail allows landlubbers to enjoy the cove and fish for crabs while the car-top boat launch allows kayakers to take full advantage of the 234-acre preserve.

“It’s a beloved part of eastern Connecticut as far as conservation is concerned,” said Welles.

Welles said the groups will eliminate the invasive species “as organically as possible,” with the hopes that they will be able to uproot the problem plants. She said if chemicals need to be applied they will do so as minimally as possible.

“We plan to educate the public with the problem of invasive species and how easy it is to replant with native,” she said.

The grant money needs to be used by the end of the 2013 growing season so members from both groups will be onsite soon to mark plants that will to stay and tag those that need to go.

Welles said invasive species generally suffocate the root systems of other plants and usually do not provide food or shelter to the native animals. Some invasive species that may be found at the boat launch are oriental bittersweet, multi-flora roses, and euonymus.

“We’ll paint the chemicals on each plant with a paint brush,” she said and they won’t spray the area.

Welles said she hopes to reintroduce highbush bluberry, spicebush, bayberry, and some other plants that would help the erosion problem.