Grasslands Naturalists, city working to remove invasive plant species from Police Point Park
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MEDICINE HAT, AB – Members of Grasslands Naturalists are back for a second year of work to remove an invasive plant species from Police Point Park.
According to a release from the City of Medicine Hat, “common buckthorn can grow to be as large as a mature tree. In Alberta, it is a prohibited noxious weed capable of outcompeting native species and negatively impacting the area biodiversity.”
Grasslands Naturalists are using mechanical methods to extract or girdle the identified invasive species. The soil conditions are ideal for removal, and the time of year is pertinent to prevent the weeds from setting seed. Common buckthorn is native to Europe and Asia.
Members have treated or removed more than 75 shrubs of varying sizes within Police Point Park since the start of the project last year. Grasslands Naturalists continue to share findings with parks and recreation’s integrated pest management team who will determine how effective these control measures are.
