Days are numbered for Katherine Abbott Park’s abundant supply of invasive buckthorn, thanks to Great River Greening – and you!

A local nonprofit organization that has restored some 10,000 acres of habitat in the Twin Cities since 1995, GRG will be leading a “Buckthorn Blast” volunteer buckthorn removal event at the Mahtomedi park this spring as part of the City of Mahtomedi’s master plan.

Buckthorn is a nonnative shrub that has spread throughout the park, making it hard for native tree seedlings to sprout and degrading habitat for native birds, mammals, amphibians wildflowers, and other native species.

The Blast will take place Saturday, May 3, 8:30 am to noon. To make the day a success, GHG is hoping to recruit 100 volunteers. All ages are welcome, and families are encouraged to volunteer together.

Volunteer signup starts Feb. 1. For more information contact Jen Kader, Great River Greening volunteer and outreach manager, at 651-665-9500 ext. 11 or jkader@greatrivergreening.org, or visit Preserving the Ecological Integrity of a Treasured and Vital Park.

Photo courtesy of City of Mahtomedi