The Newtown Conservation Commission, with help from Newtown Park and Recreation crews and volunteers, has been tackling several non-native “invasive” plants along the trails and at the High Meadow Open Space at Fairfield Hills that threaten to infiltrate the meadows.

Invasive plants are disruptive to the environment, can cause harm to pollinators, other wildlife, and general well-being. They are aggressive, mature rapidly, and spread quickly. Their seeds are prolific and prevalent in the soil for a long time. They have no natural controls here as they would in their natural homelands and they thrive in various light and soil conditions. These invasive plants outcompete our native flora — trees, shrubs, and plants on which we depend to support wildlife, prevent erosion, keep our waterways clean and purify the air we breathe.

For several weeks starting in June, volunteers cleared invasive Mile-a-Minute vine (MAM) near the Keating Farms Road cul-de-sac. This trailing vine has hooked barbs on its stems and undersides of its triangular leaves. As the name implies, MAM grows rapidly, smothering everything it covers.

Volunteers spent many weeks this summer tackling Mugwort along the trails, meadow borders, and in the Fruit Trail plantings. Park and Recreation crews cut down the very large stands before the plants went to seed to control further spread. Plant stems of Mugwort grow upright. Leaves are pointed and lobed and when crushed have a Chrysanthemum-like scent. Undersides of leaves are woolly and pale or whitish in color.

Holmes Fine Gardening has been hired by the Conservation Commission to cut and treat invasive Japanese Barberry along the High Meadow trails. Japanese Barberry is a thorny plant with small leaves and red berries. Roots and cut stems have yellow color. Some cultivars of this plant are still sold by nurseries. Homeowners are cautioned not to purchase this plant since it aggressively infiltrates our woodlands creating dense stands through seed dispersion. According to researchers at the CT Agriculture Experiment Station, removing Barberry from your property can reduce your risk of tick-related illness by as much as 60 percent.

Parks and Recreation maintenance crews have plans to control the Japanese Knotweed on the Fairfield Hills campus. The plant has hollow stems with large leaves and clusters of greenish-white flowers. A significant threat to wetlands and watercourses, Knotweed spreads not only by seed but by aggressive rhizomes. It can also regenerate by discarded cuttings.

The Conservations Commission is looking for volunteers to join our task force. If you have interest in helping with this effort, contact Newtown Land Use at 203-270-4276.