Env. Commission "Very Concerned" About Invasive Plants In Long Valley Area

LONG VALLEY, NJ — With the warm weather finally upon us, now is the time to keep an eye out for those pesky invasive plants.

The Washington Township Environmental Commission is "very concerned" about invasive plants in the Long Valley area and continues to warn residents about the harmful effects they are liable to cause.

According to the Environmental Commission’s webpage, these plants “take over and degrade natural ecosystems, wreaking havoc on the intricate and complex web of life involving native plants, animals, and other organisms.”

Invasive species are harmful for several reasons, according to the Environmental Commission. From outcompeting native plants for natural resources to poisoning the local wildlife with toxins, these invasive species can result in detrimental environmental effects.

Not only can the plants harm the wildlife, but they also cause inconveniences to residents, hindering outdoor activities like boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and biking. According to the Environmental Commission, invasive plants “can overgrow trails and riparian areas or form impenetrable tangles in shallow water areas.”

Below is a list of invasive plant species commonly found in the Long Valley/Washington Township area, provided by the Washington Township Environmental Commission:

• Japanese Stiltgrass
• Japanese Barberry
• Giant Hogweed
• Japanese Knotweed
• Japanese Hop

The Washington Township Environmental Commission encourages residents to report any invasive plants to the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team. Residents can do so using the NJ Invasive Species app on their phone.

The commission warns residents against taking invasive plant species issues into their own hands. The use of herbicides can often be dangerous to wildlife and people, and the act of pulling out plants often prepares the ground for the next crop of invasives, the commission’s webpage says.

Officials recommend reporting the non-native plant first and seeking assistance from professionals before attempting to remove/kill it.

The Washington Township Commission invites interested residents to join the township’s Task Force to “assist in identifying and eliminating non-native invasive plants from our land.”