The Scout Project – Stage one almost complete

After all the debris had been sorted into recycling categories, the Town of Perinton made several pick up trips to remove it from the Old Post Rd end of the Oxbow trail.

A brush cutter was borrowed and much of the ragweed, Japanese Knotweed, brush and invasive shrubs etc. were mowed down, taking care to leave  the ‘good’ stuff, such as the ferns, Lilies of the Valley, Day Lilies and Iris. (Lily of the Valley seems to be a European import, Day Lilies are of Chinese origin)

Here’s a patch of Lilies of the Valley carefully mowed around.

More shoreline cleared of brush and Ragweed.

And a stand of giant ferns.

Brambles – are they blackberries? Some call them raspberries. Here’s the Wikipedia link that states, ‘A raspberry fruit when picked, will leave the torus (stem) on the plant and be hollow. The blackberry will not be hollow.  These plants are probably not indigenous, but as there are so many varieties, it would be difficult to determine which type these are.

To gain the maximum crops, these plants need to be trimmed and kept free of weeds, so disposing of it’s neighboring Ragweed is very beneficial to the plant.

Areas devoid of Ragweed, with other plants untouched.

A young fisherman setting up his gear at a spot previously inaccessible.

More kids fishing in a new spot.

Pure enjoyment. And what memories these kids will have of this fantastic place.

The overall effect of this project has been to give greater access to the shoreline, reduce the ragweed and other invasive plants, and encourage  indigenous species of plants to flourish.

Mowing down the tall grasses will reduce the risk of ticks carrying Lyme disease, as they don’t seem to flourish in the shorter grass.