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ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Nature lovers in St. Louis can spend St. Patrick’s Day weekend not only wearing green, but helping to fight a green menace, all while giving a hand to Missouri’s native greenery.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) joins its partners to invite volunteers of all ages to the Back to Nature Project Honeysuckle Sweep in O’Fallon Park, this Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Volunteers should plan to meet at the O’Fallon Park Rec Complex, 4343 West Florissant Road.
Some kinds of green must go, and invasive bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is one of them. This exotic species spreads like green wildfire and chokes out desirable native plants that benefit our wildlife. Getting rid of it in O’Fallon Park is the first step to restoring native plants and habitat there.
Participants will learn all about invasive species like bush honeysuckle. Tools and gloves will be provided, along with a free breakfast for all volunteers. Friends and neighbors from the O’Fallon Park area and anyone wanting to help are welcome. Wearing sturdy, closed-toed shoes and bringing a re-usable water bottle is recommended. Volunteers are encouraged to wear green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day for a chance to win a prize.
For more information, call 314-385-4343 or email northnewsteadassociationstl@gmail.com.
This O’Fallon Park Honeysuckle Sweep is part of MDC’s Back to Nature Project. The goal of the multi-year effort is to revitalize and beautify the park, in addition to restoring habitat for native plants and animals.
The event is made possible through funding provided by MDC, along with Community Development Block Grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of St. Louis' Community Development Administration.
Participating partners include MDC, the North Newstead Association, St. Louis ReCAST, Shaw Nature Reserve, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, St. Louis Parks and Recreation and Forestry, Brightside St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden, BiodiverseCity St. Louis, and Missouri Master Naturalists.
Back to Nature at O’Fallon Park is part of MDC’s continuing effort to work with and for Missourians to create a better environment for people and wildlife. For more information on other community conservation funding opportunities in the St. Louis area, go to https://tinyurl.com/ydephpw5.
