By Aileen Petrozzi

Last year the Invasive Phragmites Control Centre came in and sprayed around the little pond at the Bryerswood Optimist camp near Amherstburg.  They later took out dead phragmites, with assistance from members of our Phragmites Committee.  In June, six volunteers came back to take out the new growth. Other than the mosquitoes bothering us, we completed the job in two hours without difficulty.  We basically walked around the small pond and caned the new growth in the water and on the shore. We will return to Bryerswood in late September to use spades on land and use the camp’s canoe to get to the middle of the pond with our canes.

Spades are used on land more efficiently to cut the air supply to the root. See link about spading: https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OPWG-Spading-Postcard-1.pdf

The Phrag committee is patiently waiting on the grant that we applied for from the Green Shovels Collaborative. If we are successful, this will allow us to purchase more equipment and continue our work.

After extensive lobbying, we are excited about the possibility to partner with Windsor. The paperwork is in with the city of Windsor; permits are needed. This will allow us to assist at the Ojibway property with their Phragmites control. We will need volunteers. Please email: if you’re interested in learning more, and would like to assist with Phragmites control in our county.

Picture: left to right at the completion of Bryerswood Camp work in June: Heather Inksetter, Michelle Mastellotto, Howard Williams, Megan Irwin, and Roland Chaudat.