Invasive exotic plant species can be found throughout Vermont. The list of plants is long and includes the water chestnut, purple loosestrife, flowering rush and Eurasian milfoil. Not native to the state, they have no natural predators and therefore thrive, pushing out native plants and destroying habitat for animals. Fortunately, groups like the Nature Conservancy have programs to control some of these species. Each summer these groups gather volunteers to pull invasive water chestnuts from East Creek in Shoreham. We accompany Nature Conservancy staff and volunteers as they head out to East Creek and its mouth at Lake Champlain to pull invasive plants.

• Mary Droege
  Director of Science and Stewardship
  Southern Lake Champlain Valley Program
  The Nature Conservancy
  115 Main Road
  West Haven, VT 05473

• The Nature Conservancy
• Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
• Vermont Department of
  Environmental Conservation

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