Victoria Park Invasive Species Removal

Come out and help us pull out the invasive Periwinkle from a small site in the forest to get it ready to plant native species in late May.

The work involves getting into teams and using a pitchfork to loosen and pull out the Periwinkle vines and put them in garbage bags for disposal.

Rain or shine and come dressed for "gardening".

Park in the small lot next to the Victoria Park playground across from the house at 105 Salisbury Ave.. The planting site is just up the road / trail and across from Highland Public School (see red "X" on the map)...a 30-second walk.

What is the Victoria Park Forest Restoration project?
The volunteers of Cambridge City Green are implementing the Victoria Park Woodlot Management Plan by removing invasive species and planting native species in small areas throughout the forest starting with this "Periwinkle Site."

Victoria Park forest is special but vulnerable
It's a rare 10.8 hectare upland red oak woodlot. It has been severely impacted over the past 10 years by invasive species, such as Norway Maple and various groundcovers like periwinkle, lily-of-the-valley, and insect damage from caterpillars (LDD moth). The Victoria Park Woodlot Management Plan identified a total of 161 species in the forest with 107 (66%) native and 54 (34%) non-native. The invasive plants comprise 8% of the land area of the forest.

The work involves....

• removing invasive groundcovers and trees
• collecting red oak acorns, propagating and planting them
• planting native species of trees, shrubs, ferns and groundcovers
• providing annual walks and other educational experiences

What's the next step after we remove the invasive periwinkle?
We will need your help on May 30th (in case of rain, June 6th) to plant approximately 100 trees, shrubs, ferns, and wildflowers in this area after we remove the invasive periwinkle. We will post that planting event later in May.