2 hours of labor could save native trees in Pelham
Volunteers will clear invasive vines along the Hutchinson River Parkway while residents turn waste pumpkins into compost at a local drop-off site.
By Justin Barnes ·
Residents of Pelham and Pelham Manor can contribute to local environmental cleanup this weekend by joining a two-hour volunteer session. The Environmental Coalition of the Pelhams is organizing these efforts to remove invasive species that threaten native vegetation near the Hutchinson River Parkway.
The first session takes place on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers will cut mugwort and other harmful vines that strangle trees and shrubs in the Long Island Sound watershed. The coalition describes this work as a way to restore habitat and improve the surrounding environment.
Two additional volunteer shifts are scheduled for the following week. On Monday, November 9, workers will meet at Exit 5 of the Hutchinson River Parkway. The final session is set for Monday, November 16, at Exit 4B, located across from the Town of Pelham Library. Each session runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Participants are advised to wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves, and gloves. Extra gloves are available on site, but volunteers should bring their own water. Newcomers must complete a short waiver. The coalition welcomes walk-ins and drop-ins, asking large groups to contact them in advance for extra supplies.
The coalition is also hosting its fifth annual Pumpkin Smash and Plant Swap on Saturday, November 7. The event takes place at the Pelham Food Scrap Recycling Drop-Off Site in Lot 7 behind Rockwells in the Village of Pelham. Residents can bring pumpkins and gourds to be turned into compost instead of incinerated. Attendees may also exchange plants or seeds.
The pumpkin event supports the village's voluntary food scrap recycling program, which operates year-round. The coalition encourages neighbors to bring friends, noting that additional help allows for more extensive tree and shrub preservation.
