LOVELAND, Ohio — Members of Boy Scout Troop 209 spent more than 120 volunteer hours clearing roughly half an acre of invasive bush honeysuckle from Kelley Nature Preserve, the Clermont County Park District said in a social media post.
The park district credited Nicholas, a member of Troop 209, with organizing the effort, which stripped the shrub from the forest floor at the 42-acre preserve along the Little Miami River in Loveland.
Bush honeysuckle, including the Amur, Morrow and Tatarian varieties common in Ohio, was introduced from eastern Asia for erosion control and ornamental landscaping, according to the Ohio Invasive Plants Council. The shrubs leaf out earlier in spring than native vegetation, shading the forest understory before it can grow, and birds that eat the berries spread the seeds widely, allowing the species to overtake forest floors across the state.
The park district said clearing the honeysuckle lets sunlight reach the forest floor again, helping native plants take root and improving wildlife habitat.
Kelley Nature Preserve, at 297 Center St. in Loveland, was established through a donation from Virginia Kelley as a memorial to her husband, Walter A. Kelley. The 42-acre site includes more than 2 miles of hiking trails, among them the Birder’s Loop Trail, and offers canoe and kayak access to the Little Miami River.
The preserve is one of four nature preserves managed by the Clermont County Park District, which oversees more than 1,000 acres of parkland across the county, including five community parks and the Williamsburg to Batavia Hike & Bike Trail.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Clermont County Park District.