Volunteers clear meadow to preserve unusual habitat

Pictured above are some of the volunteers from Burlington, Lexington, and Bedford who cleared grass and bittersweet bushes from a large meadow in the Burlington Landlocked Forest this fall. As in many other forested areas, the bittersweet bushes threatened to overcome native plant life in the meadow and destroy its usefulness as a habitat for migrating birds. Bittersweet berries have no nutritional value for birds or deer and naturalists say they are the equivalent of "junk food" for birds. Oriental bittersweet is a vigorously growing vine that climbs over and smothers vegetation which may die from excessive shading or breakage from increased weight. Seeds of Oriental bittersweet remain viable for several years, so meadows must be mowed for several years until seed sources are eliminated.

For trail maps and information about guided walks in the forest next spring, visit the Friends of the Landlocked Forest web site at: www.landlockedforest.com