Hampton, IL/May 5th, 2015 - Once again Living Lands and Waters (LL&W), as well as many local volunteers, will be gathering at Illiniwek Forest Preserve in Hampton, Illinois to join efforts in the second year of the Invasive Species Removal project. Focused on eradicating Japanese Honeysuckle, the program will kick off this week, and continue each weekend through the month of May.
Honeysuckle's growing presence in the area can have detrimental effects on the environment. It quickly moves into an area and takes it over, forming a thick shrub layer that crowds and shades out the native species resulting in a decline in bird populations. It prevents the germination and growth of native species, eventually preventing the replacement of understory shrubs and trees. Honeysuckle creates an opportunity for other invasive species to invade, further decreasing the natural diversity of forests.
"We're really excited about renewing this program here in the Quad Cities, as we continue to engage and educate the public while doing something positive for the environment," says President and Founder of LL&W, Chad Pregracke.
Volunteers will use hand saws, loppers and weed wrenches to remove the honeysuckle. Flagging each location where honeysuckle is removed. LL&W provides all the necessary tools, hard hats, gloves, protective eye wear, as well as lunch. They just ask that volunteers wear boots/athletic shoes (closed toe are a must), long pants, light-colored clothing for hot weather and layers of warm clothing during cooler days. Due to the nature of the work, LL&W is limiting this event to volunteers 16 years of age and above.
- Thursday, May 7 - Saturday, May 9
- Thursday, May 14 - Saturday, May 16
- Thursday, May 28 - Saturday, May 30
Chad Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters in 1998 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and restoration of America's major rivers and to the education of people about environmental issues. From his single boat beginning, LL&W has grown to an internationally known organization with a fleet of barges and workboats. LL&W engages thousands of volunteers each year in river cleanups, hands-on environmental education workshops, the Great Mississippi River Cleanup, Adopt-a- River-Mile, Invasive Species Removal programs and the MillionTrees Project.
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