ATHOL — Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust was awarded $12,500 by the Hollis Declan Leverett Memorial Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee for the improvement of early successional bird habitat and control of invasive species at Mount Grace’s headquarters, Skyfields Arboretum.
To attract more pollinators such as birds, bumblebees, butterflies, wasp, beetles, and other insects, they will be removing invasive plants, creating pollinator plots, and planting native species.
Staff and volunteers will create pollinator gardens and plots to increase the diversity of native plants and attract a host of insect pollinators on site. An increase in insect pollinators will in turn attract a greater variety of birds that rely on the insects as their food source. Native perennials and shrubs, such as wild bergamot, false indigo, meadowsweet, and bayberry to name a few will not only provide a native food source for pollinators but also cover and nesting areas for grassland birds, which are declining due to loss of habitat.
Within a dense 2-acre area in Skyfields Arboretum is non-native invasive glossy buckthorn. Glossy buckthorn is a highly competitive shrub with fruit containing emodin, a natural laxative that prevents birds and other wildlife from digesting the sugar. In addition to not providing nutritional value to wildlife, consumption of the seeds results in glossy buckthorns’ rapid spread and encroachment on limited valuable habitat.
The glossy buckthorn on-site at Skyfields Arboretum is multi-stem, making it difficult to remove thoroughly by hand. “To increase the effectiveness of removal, we will start by cutting the buckthorn and then use limited and targeted herbicide directly on the buckthorn stems,” Mount Grace Stewardship Manager KimLynn Nguyen explains. “That is much better for surrounding plants, insects, and wildlife than widespread spraying. This technique is labor intensive and requires trained and certified applicators to do the job, but it’s the most thorough approach to ensure the buckthorn doesn’t return.” As the invasives are removed, we will plant native shrubs to provide more diverse nesting and cover source for birds and insects while also providing a native nutritional food source.
“The work may take a few years before we can see the fruits of our labor. Ultimately, we will be rewarded with the buzzing of a variety of bumblebees and the calls of grassland birds,” shares KimLynn, who will be leading the project alongside the Mount Grace Stewardship Committee.
On Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., they will be hosting a volunteer work day to hand pull the remaining invasives, create the pollinator plots, and plant natives at Skyfields Arboretum located at 1461 Old Keene Road in Athol. Come out and celebrate Earth Day by helping the pollinators.
For more information on this work or to attend the Earth Day event, please contact KimLynn Nguyen at 978-541-1769 or nguyen@mountgrace.org.