May 23, 2022

Dear Betty Sutherland Stewards,

Thank you to everyone who braved yesterday's overcast conditions and joined us for another great plant removal session!

Gary, Geri and Patrick made some great progress in removing garlic mustard along the trail and into the forest at the south end of the site. Angie, Mario and I visited the Japanese knotweed and continued to persevere in containing it by clipping everything we could see.

Extra thanks to Patrick and Gary, who also taught me a bit about Dog Strangling Vines (DSV for short) that I would like to share with you all as well. While Mario and I removed this plant in July/August and I felt confident I can ID it easily, it looks very different now as it first sprouts, and I was convinced it was a completely different plant! (I have attached pictures and the info sheet below for reference). Now that its flowers are coming in, we can more easily identify them, and target its removal as it is just as pervasive as the garlic mustard unfortunately.

While I will not be able to join next week, please look out for an email from Gary who will keep you posted on the next event. In the meantime, check out the photos from our events here, and feel free to add your own!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.