Alexandra Arnold, recreation supervisor at Sterling Heights Nature Center, led a volunteer effort at Nelson Park to remove invasive woody plants and said the crew was focusing on buckthorn. She announced a follow-up invasive-woody removal at Delia Park scheduled for Nov. 13 at 10 a.m.

Buckthorn (an invasive shrub or small tree) crowds out native plants and can alter local habitat, Arnold said. “These trees are an invasive species,” she said, and added that birds spread the plants by eating and dispersing the berries.

Arnold described control as challenging but manageable when handled by trained personnel. She said, paraphrasing, that using targeted herbicide applied by trained individuals can eliminate the majority of the buckthorn and allow native species to recover. She framed the removals as part of the Nature Center’s broader sustainability plan to restore native plants and animals and to engage community volunteers.

Volunteers were on site during the removal. Arnold said people who want to participate can sign up; she provided contact options verbally, advising people to contact her at the address she gave, “arnoldsterlingheights dot gov,” or to contact Lake St. Clair SISMA to register.

The Nature Center did not provide funding details, specific acreage cleared, or a long-term restoration timeline during the remarks. Organizers said trained staff would handle herbicide use, and that community volunteers would assist with mechanical removal and follow-up work.