Newton Conservators is sponsoring a number of outdoor Invasive Pull Events as part of NewtonSERVES on Sunday May 2 with two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions. You MUST register in advance (by Wednesday, April 21) to participate!! Walk-in volunteers are NOT permitted this year. Registrants will receive a FREE NewtonSERVES T-Shirt!
- Charles River Blue Heron Bridge Invasives Pull – Sunday, May 2, Afternoon
We will hand-pull Garlic Mustard, an invasive non-native plant threatening the ecosystem of the Blue Heron trail. Garlic Mustard is a prolific seeder which if left unchecked will carpet the area, poison the soil, and crowd out native species. It is very easy to pull by hand; we will bag the plants for pickup by DCR. Sponsored by Newton Conservators - Cold Spring Park Invasives Pull – Sunday, May 2, 9:30 am
We will hand-pull Garlic Mustard and Buckthorn, invasive nonnative plants that threaten the park. Garlic Mustard is a prolific seeder and if left unchecked will carpet the woodland floor, displacing native plants and disrupting the ecosystem of the park. It is very easy to identify and hand pull; we will pull and bag for city pickup for its special invasive plant dumpster. Buckthorn is a little more challenging to manage but we will have some special tools and can train a subgroup to work on that. Sponsored by Newton Conservators and Friends of Cold Spring Park - Dolan Pond Invasives Removal & Cleanup – Sunday, May 2, 9:30 am – Noon
Dolan Pond is a biologically diverse conservation area about 9 acres in size. However there are a number of invasive species which can be found. In the spring, we go after garlic mustard with hand pulling and may also may be cutting back any Japanese knotweed that is growing to keep it in check. We may also be planting some native milkweed in some areas. We will be collecting any trash and cans found throughout the area as well. We will be meeting around 9 am for instruction and working until about Noon. Please bring your own gloves and other supplies. Sponsored by Newton Conservators. - Houghton Garden Invasives Pull – Sunday, May 2, Afternoon
We will work in the areas just outside Houghton Garden and across the T tracks in Webster Conservation Area. We will hand-pull Garlic Mustard, an invasive nonnative plant that threatens the park. Garlic Mustard is a prolific seeder and if left unchecked will carpet the woodland floor, displacing native plants and disrupting the ecosystem of the park. It is very easy to identify and hand pull; we will pull and bag for city pickup for its special invasive plant dumpster. Sponsored by Newton Conservators
NewtonSERVES was founded in 2000 by a visionary group of Newton residents who have helped community service become a way of life in Newton. Over 1,000 Newton residents come together in typical years to serve Newton to get our parks and open spaces ready for Spring, to spruce up our schools and not for profit institutions and to contribute food to the Newton food pantries. Newton Community Pride, in partnership with the City of Newton, recently announced the return of NewtonSERVES in a limited capacity this year. Health and safety of staff and volunteers is a top priority. Strict adherence to the rules and restrictions for the event allows participants to enjoy a day of community service while ensuring compliance with COVID protocols. Volunteer registration is now open until Monday, April 19. Register soon to participate in one of the many outdoor NewtonSERVES projects this year. While there won’t be indoor projects or the usual City Hall pre and post events, registered participants will still receive a T-shirt. Information can be found on the Newton Serves website.
See the complete list of outdoor projects HERE including Albemarle Field / Avery Woods (AM), Bullough’s Pond (AM), Cheesecake Brook (AM), Crystal Lake (AM), Historic Burying Grounds (PM), Quinobequin Charles (AM/PM), Upper Falls Greenway (AM), Wellington Park (PM), and many more!
Note: Every individual MUST complete and submit a release form before going to the project site. Registrants will receive info beforehand from the project leader.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21
More Information: email: contactus@newtoncommunitypride.org or call 617-431-3944
Work Site Rules:
- All volunteers must be preregistered – no walk-in volunteers allowed
- DO NOT PARTICIPATE IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS
- Masks required for all participants according to state guidelines
- Keep a distance of 6 feet from others
- Limit the total number of people at your worksite at one time according to state guidelines
- No sharing tools. All tools provided by volunteers. The City is NOT providing tools this year.
- Wear protective clothing including gloves
- Remove all debris or leave in specified location
