Volunteers Needed For Kaala Bog Cleanups

Jane Beachy, manager of ecosystem restoration for the Oahu Army Natural Resources Program, monitors the endangered Sanicula mariversa plants along the Ohikilolo Ridge above Makua Valley Military Reservation. U.S. Army photo.

The Oahu Army Natural Resources Program seeks volunteers this month and next to help reduce invasive weeds in the Mount Kaala bog ecosystem north of Schofield forest reserve.

Volunteers will use pruners, shovels and trowels to control non-native grasses, such as introduced blackberry and other invasive plants that are creeping into the mountain’s native plant habitat.

Teams meet at the Wahiawa base yard at 8:30 a.m. for each day-long trip, scheduled for May 20 and 31, and June 12, 18 and 21.

The group drives, then does an easy hike into designated areas to weed, eat lunch, and weed some more. Expect plenty of mud and dress accordingly.

For applications and more details on the weeding trips, visit oanrp.ivolunteer.com, call OANRP environmental outreach specialists Kim Welch or Celeste Ventresca at 656-7741 (phone/fax) or email outreach@oanrp.com.