Join the Squam Lakes Association (SLA) on March 10th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm for an informative exploration of the invasive plants in the Squam watershed. Lakes Region AmeriCorps member and conservation professional, Ben Grunwald, will lead participants on a moderate 1.6mi hike up Cotton mountain as they identify the areas where invasive plants exist along the trail. Participants will meet at the Cotton Mountain trailhead off of Rt. 113 and should be prepared with cold weather hiking gear as well as water and snacks for the hike. All participants are welcome to participate regardless of previous experience with plant identifications.
Invasive plants pose serious threats to native ecosystems if they are able to become established. They can directly or indirectly harm native flora by displacing or outcompeting other species, and killing individual native plants. They can easily spread along roadways and waterways via human transportation, and are difficult to completely remove due to their aggressive growth and reproductive methods. In order to conserve our local ecosystem, and protect the natural beauty of Squam, it is important to have a better understanding of how to properly manage these invasive plants.
Participants will practice field identifications of some plants that can be reliably identified during the winter, and become familiar with all of the specific invasive threats that are present in the watershed. They will be provided with material and information to help them spot these target species, as well as hearing about tools they can use to get involved managing invasives around Squam. Participants should bring weather appropriate hiking clothes, water, and snacks. The SLA can provide up to six pairs of snowshoes, but participants are encouraged to bring their own traction devices for snowy or icy conditions. Updates on the program and details about properly preparing for winter hikes will be sent out to participants that RSVP ahead of time.
For more information, or to sign up for this Adventure Ecology program, visit the SLA website (squamlakes.org) or contact the SLA directly (603-968-7336). The SLA also offers other guided hikes and environmental programs throughout the year. These free programs, presented by the LRCC AmeriCorps members at the SLA, are open to the public and cover a variety of conservation related topics and activities around the lake.
