Join Park Ranger Matthew at the Buggytop trailhead, where we'll convoy to a nearby site overrun with everyone's favorite nonnative plant species, Kudzu! As this vining pest grows ever closer to habitat of Head of the Crow's rare plant species, it becomes more pressing to stifle the kudzu's spread. To support chemical treatment of roadside kudzu vines, we will be mechanically removing the crowns of the kudzu plant. This should cut the vines off from the plant's nutrient supply, and reduce the number of vines that are able to persist into next grow season!
All skill levels are welcome to join! We'll discuss different techniques for kudzu removal, and best practices for our mechanical removal for the day before we begin for the day! Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, and wear closed toed shoes. Tools for kudzu removal will be provided. Volunteers should expect to work in uneven terrain, often with loose soil and rocks. We will not be hiking far (0.25 miles in distance), but will be traveling up and down hills as we work, and will be on undeveloped terrain.
