On October 17th,
2002, more than a dozen volunteers gathered at Ellis Pond to
remove the invasive Asian water chestnut (Trapa
natans). Volunteers canoed and
kayaked around the lake checking every corner for the plant.
The Department of Environmental
Management discovered the plant during a routine check in
mid-October. If left un-checked, the Water chestnut would rapidly
spread and choke out native species, threatening the fragile
eco-system of the lake. In choking a lake, the Water chestnut would
be responsible for reduced oxygen levels which suffocate fish and
produce offensive odors.
Invasive plants such as the Water
chestnut cannot be removed completely with a single pulling, but
this kind of event is exactly the type of action which needs to
take place to make an impact on improving the quality of the
watershed. Citizen participation is key in keeping invasive
species out of the watershed and preserving the wetland habitats
throughout our towns.
