Invasives Strike Force
May Newsletter
May Flowers Are On Their Way!We hope that you've been keeping dry through all these April showers. May is right around the corner, and we're getting ready for invasives season! |
Native Echinacea purpurea, Purple coneflower  |
Volunteer OpportunitiesInvasive Plant Surveyor |
Invasive Alliaria petiolata, Garlic Mustard |
Native Landscaping DaysSunday, April 30th Join volunteers from the Bergen - Passaic chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey and our landscape architect to remove weeds and invasive plants and learn about some of the native plants in our habitat around the Trail Conference headquarters. Bring work gloves, and your favorite gardening tools if you have some. Please sign up so we know how many people to expect and we can let you know of any changes of plans due to weather. |
 |
Native Plant SaleApril 29 10:00am to 1:00pm Valhalla, NY Beat the winter blues by planning your spring planting.
Select from among 50 beautiful and beneficial species of trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and ferns. No need to wait: peruse the catalog and plant photos. |
Native Asclepias tuberosa, Butterflyweed |
I Love My Park DaySaturday, May 6 9:30am to 3:30pm Come help us remove invasive plants from this beautiful park and restore its historic stone walls! Join the Trail Conference's Invasives Strike Force as we celebrate I Love My Park day in New York with other organizations. We'll be removing invasive plants along the trail. Experienced naturalists and arborists will offer instruction on plant identification and plant removal techniques. Our New York State Parks crew will work alongside us and a stone mason from J&C Masonry and Landscaping will lead the repair of a historic stone wall. Tasks for all skill and age levels will be available. Anyone can participate. No experience is necessary; we provide on-the-job training. You will need to bring leather work gloves, plenty of water and a lunch you can eat on the trail. We provide the tools. Sign up in advance at here and select Old Croton Aqueduct from the Hudson Valley list. |
 |
Invasive Insect Trap Monitor TrainingSunday, May 7 11:00am to 1:00pm Mahwah, NJ |
 |
Native Plant Society MeetingWednesday, May 10 7:30pm Mahwah, NJ Would you like to learn about native plants you can use in your garden to benefit wildlife? Join the Bergen-Passaic chapter of the New Jersey Native Plant Society for their monthly meeting. Come hear Randi Eckel of Toadshade Wildflower Farm talk about native plants. Randi will also bring plants for sale. |
Native Claytonia virginica, 'Spring Beauty'  |
Wildflower HikeSaturday, May 13 9:00am to 6:00pm Phoenicia, NY |
Native Kalmia latifolia, Mountain laurel |
Trail Conference Celebrates National Trails DaySaturday, June 3 9:00am to 3:00pm The Trail Conference and REI invite nature lovers and adventure seekers to an Open House at our Headquarters on Saturday, June 3, in celebration of National Trails Day. National Trails Day is an event held across the country recognizing the power trails have in connecting people with nature. In partnership with REI, we’ll be hosting a litter pickup and invasive species removal at the Ramapo Valley County Reservation, as well as a variety of hikes for all interests and abilities. We’ll also be leading tours of our 125-year old headquarters, where you can check out an art exhibition dedicated to the beauty of wildflowers. REI, as well as other partner organizations, will also be sharing ideas on ways to engage with trails and nature year-round. We'll be holding a raffle for great prizes, and refreshments will be available. |
 |
Invasive Strike Force TrainingsInvasives Strike Force Surveyor Training |
 |
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
| April 30 Native Landscaping Workday (Trail Conference HQ: Mahwah, NJ) | May 7: Invasive Insect Trap Monitor Training (Trail Conference HQ: Mahwah, NJ) |
| May 10: Native Plant Society Meeting (Trail Conference HQ: Mahwah, NJ) | June 3: National Trails Day Celebration (Trail Conference HQ: Mahwah, NJ) |
