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Friends of Sandbanks Park

Working with the Park to make it an even better place to visit

Buckthorn Removal Project 2022

Buckthorn at West Point Panoramic View of Buckthorn Area before removal, August 2022; Image 22-04752, John A. Brebner

Description

Buckthorn was first introduced to the County in the late 19th century as a fast-growing decorative shrub that was also useful for planting in hedgerows to separate fields and control the movement of livestock.

Unfortunately, it crowds out native species, and because it is among the first to produce leaves in the spring, and nearly the last to lose them in the fall, the shade cast by this plant makes it really difficult for smaller plants to become established, let alone thrive.

And that's not all. It changes the soil composition by creating a nitrogen imbalance that is detrimental to native plants.

The late-season berries are an attractive food source for migrating birds, who can spread the seeds far and wide throughout the province.

Buckthorn at West Point Buckthorn at West Point Buckthorn at West Point Buckthorn at West Point


Event Schedule

October 15  
0800 - 1000 Licensed chain-saw operators and Park staff ONLY
1000 - 1200 Volunteers, Trim branches with hand loppers and saws, bring to wood-chippers
1200 - 1300 Packed Sandwich lunch (provided by Friends of Sandbanks) to all workers
1300 - 1315 Group photograph for promotion
1315 - 1500 Light trimming, bringing branches to wood chipper(s)
   
October 16  
0800 - 1000 Licensed chain-saw operators and Park staff ONLY
1000 - 1200 Volunteers, Trim branches with hand loppers and saws, bring to wood-chippers
1200 - 1300 Take-out Pizza Lunch (TBD)
1300 - 1315 Group photograph for promotion
1315 - 1600 Application of herbicides, stump painting (authorized personnel only)

What To Wear

There is a risk of poison ivy and exposure to deer ticks.
  • Long pants, socks (preferably worn over pant cuffs), construction/safety shoes/boots.
  • Safety glasses, high-visibility vests and work gloves will be provided to all volunteers.
  • Do NOT wear shorts or open-toed shoes. You will NOT be allowed on the active work site!

How to Volunteer

  • Download and complete the waiver form

    Buckhorn Removal 2022 Waiver

    Bring the waiver with you on the day(s) of the event.

    Hard copies of the waiver will also be available on days of the event at the work-site.

  • Please let us know that you plan to attend before Wednesday October 12th! Our social convener needs to know how many sandwiches to provide!

    info@friendsofsandbanks.org

  • All ages are welcome for the clean-up phases of the project. Please respect all safety rules as set down by the Park.

  • Park passes for both days from 0900 - 1600 will be supplied by the Park. Should you wish to stay after 1600 hours, or visit other areas of the Park, you will require a day reservation.

Partners

This event is a collaborative effort of Sandbanks Park and The Friends of Sandbanks, and with the financial assistance of a Prince Edward County Community Grant.

PEC County logo Greenman logo FoSB logo Ontario Parks logo
We would also like to offer special thanks to Kevin Halloran of Greenman Tree Services for donating his professional expertise on October 15th.

And no thank-you would be complete without recognizing the tireless work of our own Friends of Sandbanks member John Lowry, and Park Staff Carlin Thompson and Reilly Kunc!

Next Year...

The removal of buckthorn is just the first stage of the rehabilitation plan for West Point.

Next will be the planting of native species that will now have the light and soil conditions to thrive.

The Friends of Sandbanks have contributed to tree planting programs at the Park for decades, and will be happy provide our continued support toward the rehabilitation of those former Lakeshore Lodge resort and farmlands on West Point.

The first stage will be to introduce smaller native plants to this cleared area.

One such candidate is the May Apple, already quite prolific in wooded areas around the Park.

May Apple May Apple in Outlet Campground; Image 22-01113, John A. Brebner

Where to Go...

Follow the Lakeshore Lodge Road from the intersection of County Road 12 and the entrance to Lakeshore Beach (now closed).

Drive past the Lakeshore Lodge area to the end of that road and the beginning of the Lakeview Trail.

We'll be there!