The staff of Seven Islands State Birding Park need your help in their battle against invasive plant species in the park. Ranger Stephanie will be guiding volunteers in the removal of several invasive plant species on the Upland Loop Trail. The invasive plant species that we will be targeting include Japanese and Amur Honeysuckle, Chinese Privet, Autumn Olive, Multiflora Rose, and locusts. We will be pulling, lopping, and spraying herbicide on the targeted species. Latex and work gloves and safety glasses will be available to volunteers, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own. The park has some loppers and hand saws that volunteers can use to cut the invasive plants/shrubs.
Volunteers should plan on hiking to some sections of the Upland Loop Trail for the duration of the event. Please wear sturdy footwear, appropriate clothing for the weather, and bring a water bottle for drinking. Some bottled water will be available for volunteers. Due to COVID-19 protocols, volunteers need to bring a face mask/covering with them for times when they are not able to maintain proper social distancing. Some areas are thick with blackberry briars so please be aware of them. Volunteers should plan on meeting Ranger Stephanie at the Bluebird Barn by the main parking lot on Kelly Lane by 9:00 AM. The volunteer event will end around 12:00 PM. If you have questions regarding this volunteer event, please contact Ranger Stephanie at stephanie.mueller@tn.gov or 865-407-8335.
