CBFS cleans up invasive phragmites

Over 40 Pennsylvania college students joined local volunteers and Chincoteague Bay Field Station (CBFS) staff members Saturday to clean up invasive phragmites near the Chincoteague Bay shoreline in Virginia.

Phragmites were once used as packing material for shipping containers coming from Europe. Since then, its seeds have spread and invaded nearly 30 acres of marsh land near the Chincoteague Bay shoreline.

Megan Kelsall, a senior at Shippensburg University, volunteered to help clean up during her “alternative” spring break.

“I don’t really like the party scene. I like the ‘let’s get outside and be productive’. And we make it a lot of fun.” Says Kelsall.

Shippensburg University’s Dr. Sean Cornell explains phragmites produces a chemo-toxin which basically kills other plants along its path, plus turtles that live in the marsh.

Students were also joined by the CBFS staff members plus Shore People Advancing Readiness for Knowledge (SPARK) families Saturday.

To remove as much phragmites as possible, they cut near the base of its stalk.

The challenge now is to keep more from growing, according to Dr. Cornell.

“As long as it’s not able to produce a seed head each year, it eventually will die back so we will to do some maintenance with it.” Dr. Cornell.

For now, students like Megan say it’s enough just to help.

“I just love, being in the marsh and helping, restoring it, and seeing the progress we’ve made from year to year. It’s really thrilling.” Explains Kelsall.

CBFS hosts a number of volunteer events year-round.

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