Volunteers Tackle a Thorny Problem in Fowl Meadow

This month, Friends of the Blue Hills organized volunteers to remove the invasive plant called mile-a-minute from Fowl Meadow, the northwestern portion of the Blue Hills in Dedham and Milton.  As implied by its name, this prickly vine quickly outgrows native plants.  In Fowl Meadow, the plant is threatening rare and endangered plants in the area.  By working with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Friends of the Blue Hills volunteers meticulously uprooted these invasive plants and removed the seeds that would allow the invasive to grow next year.  In fact, these seeds could stay dormant in the soil for years or if they found themselves in the nearby Neponset River, they could float downstream and start invading over native plants further downstream. 

For upcoming opportunities to maintain the trails, preserve the forest and have fun in the Blue Hills, visit the Friends of the Blue Hills webpage and calendar.