- Max Trip Size: 10 people
Join Three Rivers Park District’s battle against Oriental Bittersweet, an invasive vine, by participating in an “Invasive Blitz” at Elm Creek Park Reserve on Sunday, March 24th!
We are looking for 10 volunteers to scout the woods as a group. Meet at the Champlin Ice Forum parking lot (12165 Ensign Ave N, Champlin, MN 55316 – NW corner where the paved trail leaves the lot) on the east side of Elm Creek at 9:30 a.m. We will be hiking off-trail on uneven terrain in areas usually off-limits to the public. We’ll look for the brightly-colored red berries of the vine from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30. Afterward, those who want to may socialize in nearby Anoka.
Dress for the weather and the work (sturdy, warm boots or snowshoes – if there is still snow – with snow pants and layered clothing). Bring water/beverage and a snack, if desired. If you do not have snowshoes, check with the Gear Locker Directors. Alternatively, talk to Stacey as Three Rivers may be able to provide snowshoes. Must be 8 year of age or older to participate. Youths must be accompanied by an adult and have a completed permission form. General information and the youth permission form are available on the Three Rivers Parks’ Invasive Species Removal Events website: https://www.threeriversparks.org/page/invasive-species-removal.
We will use a smartphone app, EDDMapS Midwest (Great Lakes Early Detection Network) to map where we find the vines. You can download the free app for iOS or Android from http://www.eddmaps.org/midwest/. We should only need a couple of people per group to run the app. A park representative will provide training that morning.
Non-members are welcome on all day trips, so bring a friend (sorry, no dogs)!
You can read more information about Oriental Bittersweet on the DNR’s web page:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/oriental_bittersweet.html