ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)- Bush honeysuckle is the name given to the invasive species of honeysuckle that originated in Asia and was introduced to North America in the late 1800s. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Morrow’s honeysuckle and Amur honeysuckle can now be found in northern and central Missouri, predominately near urban areas where they are used as ornamentals. But they are spreading into more suburban and rural habitats and preventing native plants from growing.
Now, the BiodiverseCity St. Louis network is working with citizens to get rid of approximately 35,000 square feet of bush honeysuckle in the St. Louis region.
A Honeysuckle Sweep Week will be held March 5 through 13 for all those interested in removing the invasive bush honeysuckle plant. Participants will learn how bush honeysuckle critically damages the natural ecosystem.
The removals will take place at the following locations:
- March 5 9 AM to noon at Deer Creek Park with Open Space Council’s Operation Wildlands and Great Rivers Greenway
- March 6 11 AM to 2 PM at Emmenegger Nature Park with City of Kirkwood
- March 8 9 AM to noon at Creve Coeur Park with St. Louis Audubon Society
- March 9 9 AM to noon at Forest Park with Forest Park Forever
- March 10 9 AM to noon at Shaw Nature Reserve with SNR staff
- March 12 9 AM to noon at Paul A. Schroeder Park with City of Manchester
- March 12, 10 AM to 3 PM at TCS LaBarque Creek Campus with The College School
- March 12 1 PM to 4 PM at Lemay Park with Lemay Neighborhood Association
- March 13 9 AM to noon at Kirkwood Park with City of Kirkwood
Participants should wear sturdy shoes and bring work gloves and a water bottle.
For additional information visit www.biodiversecitystl.org.
