Greet the Goats at Blakely June 4

On Sat. June 4,1 to 3,Weed Warriors invite you to come to Blakely Park and greet the goats. Bring the grandkids, your plant identification questions, and it's fine if you don't even get dirty! But perhaps you'll give a goat some ivy. Park off of Country Club Road and look for us in the adjacent meadow.

Weed Warriors is a non-profit coalition that aims to help native plants flourish by removing noxious weeds. This coalition of amateur and professional gardeners and environmental activists (and goats!) includes, but is not limited to, the Association of Bainbridge Communities, ABC Conservation/Education Foundation, Sustainable Bainbridge, BI Metro Parks and Recreation District , the BI Landtrust, COBI, Watershed Council, BI Master Gardeners, Let's Pull Together, Parks Foundation, and Kitsap Weed Board.

In the Middle East there is a saying, "The goats don't live on the desert; the goats create the desert." These omnivorous ruminants consume almost anything remotely resembling a plant, often including the roots. Thus they are good at clearing weeds, or advancing desertification.

At Blakely, after the goats have browsed an area for a week, the portable fence is removed and they return to their huge van and move elsewhere. While some weeds will return, their strength has been diminished. So, for example, ivy may come back, but be much easier to pull.

They are fun to watch and this event June 4, 1 to 3, will be an educational opportunity. Child-friendly, and seriously, bring your plant questions and concerns. We have made great progress at Blakely and encourage everyone to come and see it.

SAVE this DATE: Saturday, July 16, 1 to 3, at glorious Hawley Cove Park at the new lot off of Hawley Cove Road, or at the park sign on Wing Point Way.

We will be removing or deadheading the pernicious (lovely) purple loosestrife that sucks up wetlands. It's gardening at the beach, a favorite of many.

What plant do you despise?

Please let me know and it can be plant rant of the month!

First Wednesday BILT Work Party June 1, 9 to 11.

Join Bi Landtrust for ongoing First Wednesday Work Parties! We spend the first Wednesday morning of each month performing restoration work on any one of our conserved properties--some not normally open to the public!

Bring a water bottle, work gloves, and extra tools if you can. Light refreshments and good company will be provided!

Detailed driving and parking directions will be provided upon RSVP. Please contact Becca Nissley at becca@bi-landtrust.org or call (206) 842-1216 to RSVP.

The LDS church is having a weed pull at Blakely Park near the meadow on Sat. July 30 from 1 to 4. More volunteers are welcome! For more information contact emily@biparks.org

Please note our not-so-new format. Since the email list has been reconstituted, there may be omissions so please forward freely and please forgive duplicate postings.