Goatscaping Company co-owner Elaine Philbrick will be on hand to discuss her cost-effective alternative to machines.Photo: gogreengoat.com
The Ecological Landscape Alliance will play host to a workshop on chemical-free strategies for invasive plant control on July 29 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Massachusetts. The cost is $30 for ELA members and $40 for non-members.
Several different speakers will discuss their experience with non-chemical removal of invasive plants. Ellen Snyder, Mike Bald and Gerry Hawkes will relate how they used only mechanical methods to restore the Oyster River Forest.
Michael DeRosa will explain the costs and benefits of a closed-loop system. He believes that aftercare and restoration of native plant life is crucial for eradication of an invasive species. He harvests invasive plant life as fodder for local zoos.
Jess Toro, co-owner of Native Habitat Restoration, has been battling invasive species for many years and will highlight what does and doesn’t work when trying different mechanical, organic and biological options.
Malin Ely Clyde, a project manager for Stewardship Network: New England, will talk about how to work with volunteers and maximize their potential.
Michael Talbot will explain the challenges of trying to remove invasive plant species by mechanical means alone and how to determine when it is necessary to employ chemical methods.
The co-owner of the Goatscaping Company, Elaine Philbrick, will discuss a cost-effective alternative to machines: goats. As they are able to graze in difficult to reach areas and enjoy eating a wide variety of invasive species such as Japanese Honeysuckle, Oriental Bittersweet, and Japanese Knotweed, goats offer certain advantages for removing unwanted plant species.
The speakers will take questions after their presentations. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit the sponsor’s website.
