Last November the Maple Grove Buckthorn Eradication Group (MGBEG) was created to slow the spread of buckthorn in MG and surrounding communities , buckthorn is a non-native invasive plant that lacks "natural controls" and threatens the future of our forests, wetlands, prairies and other natural habitats. Buckthorn out competes native plants for nutrients, light and moisture and can degrade wildlife habitat. MGBEG is a collaboration of the MG Lions, MG Arbor Committee, MG Park and Rec and the Rotary Cub of MG. Arbor Committee Chair Mary Parenteau and I are co-chairing the committee. Rotarians Dave Barr, Dale Bossen, Jeff Fluke, Jeff Berg, Kristi Janigo, Cindy Sherer and Tim Deets are Rotarians on the committee.
The plan is to have a buckthorn pull every two weeks this late summer and fall, "Workout in Woods".
Like us on MG Buckthorn on Facebook
This summer, we are helping Parks and Rec tend their gardens at Central Park and Town Green in collaboration with a group of Master Gardeners. We will be doing weeding at those gardens on Friday morning June 12, starting at 8AM. I am not sure how this goes but I foresee working for 60-90 minutes and then getting heading to work and come back another day. Please LMK if you or you and spouse/friend would be interested in helping this Friday or in the future.
Long pants are suggested otherwise hiking shoes or boots, gloves, water and energy are all that you need to bring. All are beautiful areas to work in.
The current MG Buckthorn schedule: times are normally 5-7 p.m.
Friends of Maple Grove Parks and Forests
2026 Tentative Buckthorn Removal Schedule
5-7PM Until October
May 12-Maple Grove Arboretum
May 28-MG Arboretum
June 9th-East Side of Eagle Lake
June 23-Weaver Lake Park
July 7th- West Side of Cedar Island Lake
July 21st-West Side of Cedar Island Lake
August 11-Weaver Lake Park
August 25-East Side Eagle Lake
September 10 -Thursday -MG Arboretum
September 22-Weaver Lake Park
September 29 -West Side CIL
October 6-East Side of Eagle Lake
October 13- MG Arboretum
October 20-TBD
October 31- Maple Grove Forest Preservation 9AM-Noon Hosted by the MG Arbor Committee
Follow us on Facebook for up-to-date schedule and location changes; Friends of Maple Grove Parks and Forests-
