Protecting Weston's Valuable Assets

Weston Invasive Plant Action Group (WIPAG)

Have you noticed the gigantic, bamboo-looking plants growing along Route 20 and seemingly sprouting up everywhere? This is Japanese knotweed, a very invasive and aggressive plant. Japanese knotweed can wreak havoc by crowding out native plants, altering habitats, blocking sightlines on roadsides, impacting building foundations, and more. WIPAG, an informal collaborative representing Town organizations, staff, and volunteers concerned with the preservation of Weston’s biodiversity and natural ecosystems, has been focusing on containing and minimizing the spread of knotweed. Learn how to identify and control knotweed.

For information on other invasive species that can be found in Weston, as well as tips on how to control them on your own property

Stewardship Saturdays

Join the Conservation Department and WFTA on the third Saturday of every month for stewardship and camaraderie as we work collaboratively to manage 2,000 acres of Conservation Land and 100 miles of trails. Stewardship Saturday projects include invasive plant management, trail construction, and maintenance, boardwalk and bridge construction, trash pickup, stone wall beautification, etc. For more information and to sign-up, visit this link. 

Our June event was held at the Dickson Riding Rings, and lots and lots of invasive Japanese knotweed were removed. Several methods were used as we are experimenting with various approaches to effectively address this aggressive invasive. Volunteers will need to return multiple times throughout this season to cut any regrowth. Thank you to all who helped for your hard work and enthusiasm!

Trail Work (Building and Re-Routing)

Learning and improving our trail maintenance skills benefits us all. In April, Conservation Department staff, Weston Forest and Trail Association (WFTA) representatives, and other hard-working volunteers participated in a trail-building training exercise led by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC).

This particular training/work session focused on retiring/closing a section of a perennially wet and mucky trail and creating a new bypass trail. First, they reviewed the mechanics and theory of trail construction, and then they had some hands-on learning.
If you are interested in helping to improve Weston’s Conservation Land, please join volunteers for a Stewardship Saturday.

Highland Street Cleanup at Sunset Corner

Cleanup, clean up, everybody do your share! As part of Weston’s Annual Town Cleanup and in honor of Earth Day, representatives from the Conservation Commission, Conservation staff, WFTA, and the Weston Pollinator Plant Alliance (WPPA) collected several bags of trash along Highland Street at Sunset Corner. Thank you to all who participated!

Click here to View the More Information About Town Of Weston : Conservation Connections - Summer 2022