COMMON/EUROPEAN BUCKTHORN HERE IN ELMIRA

Asian carp, emerald ashborer, gobies, zebra mussels, rusty crayfish, giant hogweed, purple loostrife and so much more are here in Ontario and Woolwich Township either now or just around the corner. Add to that ever expanding list, Buckthorn. Yesterday afternoon my wife, our dog and myself were on the Lions trail at the south end of Elmira. Lo and behold just prior to reentering the wooden area there is a sawhorse across the trail with some literature attached. Apparently TWEEC (Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee) have been busy cutting and spraying Buckthorn which has spread into the wooded area. The literature provided indicates a number of mechanisms to limit the spread of this non native, invasive species which includes cutting and spraying. We took the signs and literature seriously not only for ourselves but in particular for our Black Lab Grizelda who undoubtedly would have been sniffing and rooting around at any new, disturbed areas she could find. Thus we turned around and retraced our steps. As beautiful as Woolwich Township is, we certainly are not immune to either minor or major environmental pests; insect, plant, fish or even human.