Invasive Plant Removal Project

Background on Invasive Plant Removal Project

Since the 2011 death of Dr. Joe Christian, the person most closely associated with the creation of the Bog Garden, the garden has become overrun by non-native invasive plants. Beginning in November 2017 a small core group of volunteers (i.e., “The Bog Garden Plant Committee”) has held weekly work days to remove invasive plants and install native plants that are appropriate for the site.

The Plant Committee developed: (a) a management plan outlining the restoration strategy with a focus on the natural community of a piedmont alluvial forest; and (b) a plant list denoting desired native plants as well as unwanted invasive plants.

Since November 2017, volunteers have removed many invasives (primarily Fig Buttercup, English Ivy, bush honeysuckle, Japanese honeysuckle, and Japanese knot weed). As ofAugust 2018, volunteers have planted nearly 1,500 native plants in the Bog Garden, representing at least 59 different species. Many of the native plants were rescued plants, some were propagated from seed by N.C. A&T horticulture students, some were donated by NC Native Plant Society members, and some were purchased with funds from the Piedmont Bird Club and Greensboro Beautiful.

Why do native plants matter?

All species need food (energy) to grow, survive, and reproduce. Energy is distributed  through ecosystems through food chains and food webs. For example, squirrels eat  acorns. So squirrels need oak trees to collect energy from the sun and grow those acorns.  Multiply that single food chain (sun →oak tree → squirrel) many thousands of times and  you will have a food web, where each plant supports specific birds, mammals, insects, or  other wildlife species.

Of course, plants do not take kindly to being eaten. To discourage animals from eating  them, plants have developed various defensive mechanisms. Plant defenses may include  toxic chemicals in their leaves/stems or physical barriers (e.g., thorns, hard seed  coverings).

For a particular animal to feed on a particular plant, it needs to evolve the means to get  around that plant's defenses. For example, monarch butterfly caterpillars are able to feed  on milkweed because they have evolved to do so—other insect larvae without those  adaptations would not be able to handle the mild poison in milkweed's sticky white sap.

Here's the key point when it comes to native plants: scientists estimate that it takes more  than 10,000 years for a feeding relationship to develop between a particular insect and a  particular plant. When a non-native, invasive plant is introduced to an area, the native  insects cannot feed upon it, insect-eating birds cannot feed on the insect larvae, and  raptors and other bird predators have fewer birds to eat. In short, the whole ecosystem  suffers.

Why focus on native plants in the Bog Garden?

As cities grow and forests come down to make room for development, there is less and  less land left undeveloped to support native plants. It is, therefore, essential to promote  native planting wherever feasible. The Bog Garden is a restored natural area. It is the

perfect place to ensure that native plants exist to support local wildlife. Doing so furthers  the mission of Greensboro Beautiful to conserve and enhance the beauty and ecology of  our community.

How can I help?

Greensboro Beautiful, a private non-profit, relies upon donations to complete its work.  Donate here. 

If you are able to volunteer your time, please contact Greensboro Beautiful. Please note  that training is required to participate in invasive plant removal and native planting.

Where can I learn more?

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