The 2025 New York State Invasive Species Awareness Week runs from June 3rd-9th. The North Shore Land Alliance is hosting a series of events with a focus on invasive species removal and to spread awareness about the harm that they cause our community. Just yesterday, I was dealing with the removal of mile-a-minute vines that grow up my trees and all over my blackberry bushes in my yard here at the iEat Green Homestead. I took care of a lot but there is still so much to get rid of.

Invasive species are a major environmental issue because they crowd out native species. Its fast growth outcompetes other plants, leading to reduced sunlight, physical damage, and ultimately, the death of native vegetation. This impacts biodiversity and disrupts our ecosystems. There are species within our natural ecosystem that rely on the plants that are being outcompeted by invasive species. 

The Long Island Invasive Species Management (LIISM) has a database of the multitude of invasive species we have on Long Island. The mile-a-minute invasive vines are particularly a problem on Long Island. Check out the informational page they created on the mile-a-minute invasive species, which is one of the main invasive species that the removal events are focused on targeting.

Join the North Shore Land Alliance for one or all of their volunteer events this week and the rest of the month of June. (If you can’t make one of their events, you are welcome to come to my home and help me here 🤣!! )

• Wednesday, June 4th – Mile-a-Minute vine removal, Humes Preserve Meadow, Mill Neck
• Friday, June 6th – Mile-a-Minute vine removal, Cushman Woods Meadow, Matinecock
• Saturday, June 14th – Mile-a-Minute vine removal, Humes Preserve Meadow, Mill Neck
• Saturday, June 28th – Mile-a-Minute vine removal, Cushman Woods Meadow, Matinecock 

Join the No Kings Day of Action on Saturday June 14th!

As Trump throws himself a lavish military parade (spending tax payers money), those of us who care, will be protesting in the streets all across America! We need to protest Trumps authoritarian vision of himself and show him what Democracy looks like!

Commit to join in this day of action!