Please join Avalonia stewardship staff, intern, and volunteers at the Parke Memorial Preserve, in North Stonington, on Wednesday July 31 at 9:00 to help manage an infestation of Japanese Knotweed.  We have been following the Nix the Knotweed management protocols at this preserve and it is time for the second cutting of Japanese knotweed for the year ( I know, we are a bit behind schedule)!   We plan to meet at the parking lot across from the North Stonington Town Hall (40 Main Street).  Depending on the number of participants, we’ll either walk or carpool (less than a 1/4 of a mile) to the Parke Memorial Preserve, one of several that Avalonia stewards along the Shunock River.  The parking area at the preserve can only safely accommodate 2 vehicles.  There is a fairly steep decline from the trailhead to the work site, but it is otherwise close to and visible from the road.

We hope to spend several hours cutting this hollow stemmed invasive at its base and piling the cut stalks for drying and later removal.

Gloves, sturdy footwear, bug repellent, and drinking water are recommended. While tools will be provided for your use, feel free to bring your own set of clippers, loppers, or serrated knife to cut the hollow stems of the knotweed.  If you have an old tarp or sheet of plastic that you would be willing to donate to the cause, please bring it along! 

To learn more about this noxious weed and various management and disposal practices, visit the Avalonia Stewardship page. Contact [email protected] for more detail.

We will begin at 9:00 and work as long as spirits remain high, and as weather allows (rain date of August 7). Work at your own pace and stay as long as you wish.  Although registration is not required, please consider sending me an email to express your interest in attending ( for planning purposes).

Hope to see you on Wednesday!