Jeff Strate, Friends of Birch Island Woods and Joe
Harewicz, Senior Producer of Channel 11's, "Outward
Bound with Ron Shara," during a September 2004
buckthorn pull in Birch Island Woods, Eden Prairie.
BIRCH ISLAND WOODS BUCKTHORN BUSTING DAY
Saturday, October 15th - 9:30am to 1:00pmAs fall colors peak, help liberate the jewel of Eden Prairie's conservation areas from the clutches of buckthorn. Join other Sierrans, Friends of Birch Island Woods and folks from the southwest burbs at Birch Island Woods!
Sections of Birch Island Woods, and of woodlands throughout the metro area, have been invaded by buckthorn, causing the disappearance of native plants, insects, birds, amphibians and mammals. "Buckthorn pullin' is more fun than my old Nordic Track," says event organizer Jeff Strate. "And, to be honest, it's a heck of a lot more satisfying than my golf game!" Jeff promises that the morning will be filled with good humor. The City of Eden Prairie is proclaiming Saturday, October 15th "Birch Island Woods Buckthorn Busting Day!"
WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING
Dress for the weather and garden work. This is a rain or shine event.
Bring work gloves for pulling by hand. And if you can, bring shovels, leaf rakes, heavy duty, long-handled shears that can cut roots and branches, root talons and woody plant weed wrenches. Weed wrenches will be available at the site but the more the merrier!
WHERE: Birch Island Woods / Eden Wood Lodge, 6319 Indian Chief Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55346 Park in lot then walk into the woods.
DIRECTIONS:
From Chaska, western suburbs and Wall Drug:
East on Highway 5 or Hwy 7 to Co. Rd 101.
North (or south if coming from Minnetonka) on Co. Rd. 101 to
Crosstown Highway. East on Crosstown Highway to stoplight at the
entry to Glen Lake Golf Center. Stay in right lane. Turn right
onto the service road and in 40 yards turn right onto Indian Chief
Road. Follow the buckthorn signs to Edenwood Center.
From Minneapolis, Saint Paul and elsewhere:
Take the Highway 62 (the Crosstown) about one mile west of Interstate
494 and Baker Road to the stoplight at Glen Lake Golf Center.
(Eden Prairie) Stay in left lane. Turn left (south) onto service
road and in 40 yards turn right onto Indian Chief Road. Follow the
buckthorn signs to Edenwood Center.
CONTACT: , Land Use and Transportation Committee, at 952-922-0189
This event is co-sponsored by Birch Island Woods. Click on the Events or "Calendar" links for more information. Click on "Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard" for more info on noxious plants.