Reflection Park’s mission reflects a value for harmony with the natural world. Our one-mile natural-surface trail through the forest offers a peaceful respite from the noise of everyday life. However, the native species living there face a quieter kind of disruption as they endure competition from invasive plants that threaten their natural abundance. Invasive Bittersweet is one of those species that was introduced to this country from Eastern Asia as an ornamental plant. It grows rapidly, jeopardizing the health and survival of other plants as it winds around them.

We’ll start with a short primer on recognizing Bittersweet and other common invasives in our area before we get to the physical work of vine-clearing – and, in the process, head-clearing! Removal is surprisingly satisfying, and every invasive plant we eliminate helps protect another tree or understory plant.