BEDFORD—Volunteers are being sought to help rid Otis Park of an invasive species that is dangerous to our ecosystem. Wintercreeper, as the name implies, rapidly spreads along the ground, forming a thick cover that displaces herbaceous plants and seedlings, depleting the soil of moisture and nutrients and sometimes even forming small shrubs. It can cover the ground and vegetation and eliminate native ground cover species in forests. It is a serious threat because it rapidly spreads and replaces spring ephemerals.
If you want to volunteer to help eradicate this species at Otis, meet in their parking lot on October 24 at 12:30 p.m. Volunteers will be taught how to identify and eliminate wintercreeper. If you have questions, call the Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District at 812-279-8117 ext. 3.