Increasing Awareness

About Invasives

To The Editor:

A recent initiative at Fairfield Hills to remove barberry and other invasive plants has turned out to be a hugely successful undertaking. Initiated by the Conservation Commission and with support of the Board of Selectmen, Dan Holmes of Holmes Fine Gardens has removed or cut back very large tracts of barberry and other invasive plants near the walking trails and other sites at FFH.

Complementing his work, an Eagle Scout, Tyler Coleman, along with Parks and Recreation personnel, did additional work to stave off the damaging effects of these invasive plants. Because barberry is known to harbor black-legged ticks, this work also improves the trails from a health-risk standpoint. It is expected that native plants will emerge when the invasives are gone, due to increased light and room to grow.

It is hoped that this work and the publicity about it (see Newtown Bee article, “Town Invests In Cutting Back The Invasives At Fairfield Hills,” August 30) will increase awareness about invasives and will spur residents to look at their own yards with an eye to seeing what may need to be removed. Invasive plants are genetically structured to out-compete native plants. As Rob Sibley, deputy director of land use, says, “they are game changers,” changing habitats and altering even the water and soil. The longer they are allowed to thrive, the harder it becomes to control them.

The Conservation Commission will make visits to individual property owners to help identify invasives and provide information about their control. Please call land use at 203-270-4276 for information. Also, see the Newtown website under Boards and Commissions, Conservation Commission where you will find a slide show for general information about invasives in our area.

Sincerely,

Mary Wilson

Conservation Commission

12 Whippoorwill Hill Road, Newtown                September 5, 2012