Can you tell the difference between native plants and more recently introduced non-native species that risk overrunning your property and destroying habitat for native plants and animals?

On Wednesday, July 8, from 9-11:30AM, join Chocorua Lake Conservancy Stewardship Director and naturalist Lynne Flaccus for an educational morning of invasive plant control at the Charlotte C. Browne Memorial Woods on Washington Hill Road in Chocorua, a beautiful property with views of Mount Chocorua. We’ll work at cutting back the bittersweet and Japanese barberry growing along the stone wall and near the entrance to the trail. In the process of helping us with this task, you can learn about the native plants we are hoping to free up to take their place, and about the fruiting shrubs we planted previously to improve habitat for birds and other wildlife. Maybe there will be some blueberries to munch on while you work!

We’ll plan to work apart from each other for physical distancing, but close enough to share stories and information. Please come with a mask, your own clippers and perhaps a hand saw, sunscreen and protection from bugs and ticks—that doesn’t sound very encouraging, but it isn’t that bad, and it’s a chance to be outside with friends while getting exercise! Feel free to come for some or all of the morning—we’ll be happy to see you for however long you might help.

The C.C. Browne Woods is a 67-acre parcel that is bounded by the Chocorua River to the north, with a short dead-end and loop trail. After our task is complete you may want to take a walk and check out the river with its spectacular views of Mount Chocorua and the giant glacial erratic along the trail—one of the more amazing rocks around!

Call ahead at 323-6252, or email lflaccus@chocorualake.org to let us know you will be coming so that we can let you know of any added safety precautions or changes in the schedule.

Banner: A stewarship volunteer working at the Charlotte C. Browne Memorial Woods under the gaze of Mount Chocorua.