MountainTrue has joined forces with the Tuckasegee River Alliance to help eradicate nonnative invasive plants at Island Park in Bryson City. Island Park - which is currently closed to the public pending storm damage repairs - is an island in the Tuckasegee River that hosts a beautiful riparian forest with some very large trees. However, infestations of non-native invasive plant species threaten native diversity, especially in terms of wildflowers and forest understory, creating the need for restoration work to bring the island back to its full splendor.

Volunteer work sessions are being scheduled to start the work of eradicating these non-native invasive pest plants. There are three opportunities this fall to participate in. Advance registration is required. There will be two workshop sessions on Wednesday, November 11th, a morning session from 9 am to noon, or an afternoon session from 1 to 4 pm. A third workday is planned for December 12, from 11 am to 2 pm. Each work session is limited to 15 participants.