WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy is inviting visitors to help nature by joining in self-guided garlic mustard pulling at any of eight SWMLC nature preserves.
Due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, SWMLC has had to cancel its usual springtime volunteer activities, including the garlic mustard pulls that help keep this invasive plant from colonizing woodland habitats.
Garlic mustard can be commonly found in woodland habitats in North America, and can advance across the forest floor at a rate of 20 feet per year.
Visitor volunteers can engage in self-guided garlic mustard pulling at any of SWMLC’s nature preserves, including Spirit Springs Preserve in Marcellus and Corey Lake North Bay Preserve near Three Rivers.
Garlic mustard can be pulled by finding the base of the plant, wiggling it around in the dirt to loosen it, then pulling the whole thing out, roots and all. Because the seeds will continue to mature and disperse even from pulled plants, volunteers are urged to either twist the plant to separate the roots from the stems and leaves and leave it in a small pile beside the trail, or bring a bag and dispose of it at home.
SWMLC’s website is swmlc.org.
