On November 21, 2009 MRCN collaborated with Trinity Presbyterian Church and Boy Scout Troop 4 to celebrate Family Volunteer Day by removing invasive bush honeysuckle from the church grounds. 

Bush honeysuckle is native to Asia, and as such does not have any insect or animal species to keep its spread in check.  Because it leaves out before and holds its leaves long after our native Missouri plants, it can take advantage of a longer growing season.  If we do not control this species now, it will dominate our parks and woodlands within a generation.

Nearly 30 scouts and parents showed up on Saturday morning to help the MRCN staff tackle the honeysuckle that has taken over.  Though there were some skeptics at the beginning, once the boys were told that there would be a competition for the biggest honeysuckle uprooted, there was honeysuckle flying out of the ground.

Throughout the morning the pile began to grow and grow, and by noon we had what could be considered a mountain in the state of Missouri.  The winners of the “biggest honeysuckle” contest were awarded t-shirts, although the bragging rights seemed more important.

Members of Trinity Presbyterian now have a completely new view when they look out onto their forest plot.  Of course, there are plenty of spots that we did not get to, but it seems that MRCN and Troop 4 will be ready for another round of removal in the spring!