Arlington Targeting Invasive Species With 'Pink Plants’ Campaign

ARLINGTON, MA — The Arlington Conservation Commission is highlighting the impact of invasive plants this month with the Pink Plants campaign, which raises awareness about the impact of invasive species and the importance of ecological land management.

On September 15, two Arlington High School volunteers, Greta Mastro and Clara Schneider, used eco-friendly pink paint to mark two sites along the Minuteman Bikeway where invasive plants had grown out of control. One site is near Buzzell Field Park and the other is halfway between the Mill Street and Summer Street entrances to the Bikeway, behind the Food Link building.

The invasive species the volunteers marked are Oriental Bittersweet and Japanese Knotweed. These two species are among the most common invasives in Arlington.

The bittersweet is a vine that smothers plants and uproots trees due to its weight. The knotweed crowds out other plants and has an aggressive root system that can break up pavement and building foundations.

Both sites will be cleared of the pink plants by the end of October.

The Pink Plants campaign is paid for from the Conservation Land Stewardship Fund, a private fund jointly managed by the Conservation Commission and the Arlington Land Trust.

For more information or to make a donation in support of the campaign, click here.