Editor’s note: This press release was provided by EcoPel. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.
There’s a problem: Invasive plants and vines have taken over many of Pelham’s natural areas and entered our home gardens.
Who cares? The Environmental Coalition of the Pelhams (EcoPel) does. That’s why we’re inviting you, Pelham (and beyond), to join the newly formed Pelham Vine Squad for Volunteer Days!
Who else did we call? We’ve partnered with New York State Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway and Mario Bulfamante & Sons Landscaping to manage invasive species on public lands bordering the Hutchinson River, at Colonial Avenue and Wolf’s Lane.
What will we do? Volunteers will learn to recognize invasive plants and practice hands-on techniques to remove and slow their spread. Eventually, we will replace the invasive plants with native plants of New York.
Why should we care?
The Pelhams are part of the Hutchinson River and Long Island Sound watersheds.Their health depends on us!
Invasive species harm our local ecosystems and weaken climate resiliency by:
- Displacing native plants and reducing biodiversity essential for providing wildlife habitat.
- Weakening water infiltration necessary for managing stormwater, which would otherwise pollute local waterways and contribute to street and home flooding.
- Increasing management and control costs for municipalities and landowners and devaluing property.
Why else? Restoring nature addresses historical injustices that have led to environmental degradation. It helps ensure that all communities freel the mental health benefits of having nature in their neighborhoods.
What will you do? We hope that participants will share what they learn across Pelham; increasing awareness and ecological restoration efforts in our home gardens and apartment landscapes. We also encourage you to advocate for the same on our villages and Pelham schools public lands.
You’re in!
Kickoff begins:
- Date: Saturday, November 2
- Time: 10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
- Location:Town of Pelham Library
Walk Ins Welcome!
Can’t make it?
Email: pelhamvinesquad@gmail.
Made possible by:
Junior League of Pelham Community Grants, the Town of Pelham Library and YOU!
Who are we?
The Environmental Coalition of the Pelhams (EcoPel), established in 2013, is an all-volunteer, grassroots, not-for-profit (501c3) membership organization. Our mission is to educate the community about sustainable green practices that protect our environment. We provide resources and mobilize the community to support environmental initiatives and policies locally and globally.