Non-native plants have invaded most of the Mill River’s bed and banks, presenting a significant problem by crowding out native species and creating eye-sores. The prime example is Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), which suppresses other plants, creates impenetrable “knotweed hells,” and obscures our view of the river in many reaches.
A long-term project to control invasives will begin this summer, starting at Paradise Pond and moving upstream, while we foresee a similar project that will start in Williamsburg and go downstream.
The Smith College project, headed by Gaby Immerman and Reid Bertone-Johnson, with support from the Smith College Botanic Garden and the new Center for the Environment, will get underway as soon as the growing season begins in spring. Caron Dewey ’11 will begin mapping invasive species using GPS and GIS technology, and Brittany Innis ’13, will continue this work and organize an invasive species removal workshop over the summer.
Lincoln Fish is leading the management effort from Williamsburg and has completed the first year of a three-year project.