SCOUTING FOR CONSERVATION
On Saturday, October 27th Acton/Boxborough High School Senior Joshua Crofton-Macdonald of Acton, Massachusetts lead a group of Boy Scout volunteers installed new native plants in the Acton Arboretum. This was not just a day of beauty in the fresh air. This young environmental steward was able to accomplish a full cycle conservation action - from research and planning, to removal of invasive plant species, to collaborating with community and environmental groups, demonstrating the meaning of GREEN.
Last summer Crofton-Macdonald began a search for a meaningful way to earn his Eagle Scout badge. "I had always been interested in the environment and I heard that invasive plants are a threat to native plants in natural areas, and by removing them there are spaces for the native plants to grow," he explained. Eagle Scout requirements include community service for a non-profit organization that totals at least one hundred hours, thirty of which must be completed by the scout himself.
But ultimately, it was Crofton-Macdonald's stewardship values and leadership that made the project work. He contacted New England Wild Flower Society, the oldest plant conservation organization in the country, headquartered about a half hour from Acton, Massachusetts at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. “I heard that one of the Society's main goals was to protect native plants.” said Crofton-Macdonald explaining why he chose the Society in particular. New England Wild Flower Society runs multiple award-winning conservation programs across the region, including research and field actions working with rare plants, critical habitats, and invasive plant identification, mapping, and removal. It mobilizes 1,500 field volunteers in the six New England states, and runs the largest public native plant education program in America.
The invasive species issue is critical. Second only to loss of habitat through development, it is the leading cause of loss of biodiversity worldwide. Homeowners and organizations can have a direct and helpful impact by avoiding the use of invasive plants in their landscapes and removing them from their property, and disposing of them properly so they do not get out into natural areas. "Know them..Don’t grow them!" is the Society's advice on invasive plants.
With the help of the Society, the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, and other collaborative groups, Massachusetts is a leader of invasive plant legislation, although many citizens are still unaware of this serious conservation issue. Because of the profound environmental damage caused by invasive plants, many were prohibited for sale beginning in 2006, including oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) although some can still be found sold illegally as holiday decorations, even today. These and invasive plants like burning bush (Euonymous alatus), and Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), scheduled to be phased out for permissible sale in 2009, are common throughout Acton. View the Department of Agriculture's Prohibited Plant List, including all forms and parts of the plants. See the list at http://www.mass.gov/agr/farmproducts/proposed_prohibited_plant_list_v12-12-05.htm.
Part of Crofton-Macdonald's collaborative efforts involved the Society's native plant nursery, which features 700 nursery-propagated and locally grown species of native plants and cultivars. The nursery donated varied native plant material for the project matched to the Acton Arboretum's needs for sunlight, soil type, and design considerations. Summersweet, (Clethra alnifolia) serviceberry, (Amelanchier spp) native winterberry hollies ( Ilex verticillata) and indigo (Baptisia spp) were among the dozens of plants donated that will yield bloom in New England from early to late season, and fragrance, and beautiful color with something of interest for all times of the year. The principle of "Right plant.in the .right place" is an important part of sustainable landscaping.
"We connected with Joshua's project right away because it was so close to our organization's mission. He was making conservation and environmental awareness fun, beautiful and satisfying. He tied together communities and ideas and had the creativity and leadership to carry it out," said Nicola Cataldo, the Society's Manager of Retail Operations who participated in providing the plant materials. "He brought many people with complementary values together. For example, Joshua auctioned off a membership to the Society as a fundraiser at the Acton Oktoberfest and with the proceeds was able to include even more plants."
Over several weekends Acton Scout volunteers in groups of eight worked hard to remove the invasive plants. "It was a challenge," says Crofton-Macdonald. For example, the multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) has a hard main root and the plants are thorny and grow in an outward direction. You have to hack your way in and then rip them out. Afterwards we were impressed to see lots of evergreen and native shrubs that had been completely covered by the multiflora rose. Removing the invasive plants gives the other plants a chance to grow. " Invasive plants should not be put in compost. Some will even resprout in landfill. For removal and disposal directions visit the website of New England Wild Flower Society at www.newenglandwild.org. Copies of several invasive plant manuals with identification and removal information are available for online at www.newenglandwild.org and at the Society's Museum Store at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA . 508-877-7630.
Cathy Fochtman from the Acton Arboretum provided many design ideas and gave ideas and direction for suitable Arboretum areas to fulfill the project. Conservationist Jim Snyder-Grant helped with the invasive plant work, and Crofton-Macdonald's friends from Acton/Boxborough High School volunteered alongside the Acton Scouts in the invasive plant removal, as well.
What is Crofton-Macdonald's advice to the citizens of Acton? "Don't plant invasive plants!" It might look good now as a holiday decoration or an ornamental plant, but if you let them grow they will ruin your landscape and our natural areas."
New England Wild Flower Society's Garden in the Woods trails are open to members in November, reopening to the public in April, 2008. Native plant seeds go on sale in January. David Rogers' BIG BUGS exhibit returns to the Garden July 12-October 31, 2008. The Museum store and classes are open year-round. To support the Society's conservation efforts and for native plant, and ecological restoration information, contact membership@newenglandwild.org. To become a volunteer or to develop other scout projects, contact Bonnie Drexler at bdrexler@newenglandwild.org.
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