Within its 13,500 acres, Pisgah State Park provides an unparalleled opportunity to balance recreation, land management, and conservation of natural communities. In 2008 and 2009, AVEO’s citizen scientists surveyed 54.4 miles of trails and roads in Pisgah State Park and documented 29 occurrences of 5 invasive species. Glossy buckthorn was most frequently observed, followed by Japanese barberry, Oriental bittersweet, multiflora rose and purple loosestrife. Although not noted along primary survey routes, winged burning bush and non-native bush honeysuckles were also observed. While most (69%) trails were devoid of invasive plants, volunteers noted occurrences on 10 trails, with the greatest abundance of invasives observed on John Hill Road and trails south of the Horseshoe Road trailhead. Click here for detailed information on survey methods. The full report of the Pisgah State Park Invasive Plant Survey and an interactive Google Map showing occurrences are available here:
Pisgah State Park Invasive Plant Survey Report 2009
Project Partners
As a member of the Pisgah State Park Technical Team, AVEO collaborated with Antioch University New England, Keene State College, Franklin Pierce University, Moosewood Ecological Services, Harvard Forest, Friends of Pisgah State Park, and the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands to inform landscape-level management planning for the park. Click here for the most up-to-date information on the Pisgah State Park Management Plan process.
Volunteers
Special thanks to Antioch University New England graduate student Deb Stevens who provided excellent GIS support and AVEO Intern Elise White who played an instrumental role in completing the field portion of this project!
Becky Auger, Dewey Auger, Bonnie Caruthers, Kyle Ciccaglione, Ian Coles, Andy Ducomb, Matt Edson, Becky Eisenhandler, Meg Fairchild, John Hudachek, Patricia Hudachek, John Parsons, Grace Lilly, Mike Lilly, Siobhan Martin, Rory Moon, Allie Mott, Peter Najem, Kayla Pope, Kathy Schillemat, Peder Schillemat, Barbara Skuly, Inge Seaboyer, Mary Kate Sheridan, Gabe Stalberg, Deb Stevens, Kathy Thatcher, Jenny Twohig, Wendy Ward, and Elise White.
taking in the view at Pisgah State Park
For more information on the Pisgah State Park Invasive Plant Survey, contact AVEO Program Director Brett Amy Thelen at thelen@harriscenter.org or (603) 258-2065.
Connect