On Saturday, May 2 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is partnering with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), Roan Mountain State Park, and the Cherokee National Forest to remove invasive garlic mustard around the Appalachian Trail and TN Highway 143 through the park and Forest Service lands. This event will meet and end at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center located at 1015 Highway 143; Roan Mountain, TN. 37687.
All are invited to join us for a fun day of helping to protect the natural habitats and biodiversity found in the A.T. landscape - no experience needed. Plucking out the pesky invaders when they are young is relatively easy and very rewarding work, but it does take a lot of hands! You also might get to see spring wildflowers that are able to grow in the area, thanks to the hard work of volunteers who pulled garlic mustard in the past.
Schedule:
9:00 AM to 9:15 AM - Introduction, safety talk, etc. Volunteers will be briefed, divided into groups, and dispersed across the Park and along public roadsides to pull garlic mustard. There will need to be some shuttling and driving of personal vehicles to make this happen.
9:15 AM to 1:00 PM – Pulling and bagging up garlic mustard!
Food/Drinks: Please bring your own snacks, lunch, and bottled water. Lunch is not provided. Water and light snacks are available from the Conference Center vending machines.
Equipment/Precautions: Work gloves and trash bags will be provided. Feel free to bring personal gloves or a trowel. Pulling garlic mustard is usually easy, but a trowel can be helpful for compacted roadside soil and stubborn roots.
You will need: A hat and/or sunscreen, long pants, sturdy shoes, lunch, water, a warm layer for high elevation hiking, and rain gear. If you are allergic to poison ivy or insects, consider wearing long sleeves and pants as a precaution.
Note: It may be difficult to return to your car while we are working, so bring a bag to keep your items with you throughout the day. Some work sites are very steep. Please let us know in the morning, if you prefer to work on flatter terrain or have medical conditions. First aid kits will be on site.
Some work sites are very steep. Please inform your trip leader before the workday if you prefer to work on flatter terrain or have medical conditions.
