ERG/Green Space Workdays
On three dates in August and September this summer, the Green Space Committee and the Environmental Restoration Group (ERG) held training sessions on the recognition and removal of invasive woody plant species. Since 2003, the Town Green Space ordinance has allowed Beverly Shores property owners to donate undeveloped land to help preserve our fragile dune ecosystem, to protect natural and open areas, and add to public lands in Beverly Shores. The training was held on several of these properties. ERG has been very active in producing literature, providing education, and organizing workdays for the recognition and removal of invasive plant species and their replacement with native plants.
The training was held on August 28 and 30 and September 10. Over 25 persons participated in the training and invasive woody plants were removed from several Green Space properties. Orientation and refreshments were provided prior to the training at the Community House and then the groups car pooled to the Green Space sites. All participants were given a copy of a new addition of A Beginners Guide to the Plants of the Indiana Dunes and a “Digging in the Dunes” yard sign.
The ERG has available for lending several pieces of equipment ranging from loppers and pruning saws to the very special “Puller Bear” that allows shrubs with stems up to 2.5 inches in diameter to be pulled up by the roots (See www.pullerbear.com to learn more about this very useful tool).
Funding for the third edition of The Beginners Guide to the Plants of the Indiana Dunes and the purchase of tools like the “Puller Bear,” saws, and loppers was provided by a NIPSCO Environmental Action Grant.
To learn more about the Green Space Committee and ordinance, visit www.beverlyshoresindiana.org/green-space-committee.html. To learn more about the Environmental Restoration Group, visit www.bserg.org or email Terry Bonace at tbonace@gmail.com.
Left to right: Bill Gilmer, Linda Keller, Candice Peterson-Smith, Larry Sylvestri, Terry Bonace, Greg Lyman, Ausra Zarins, Sandy Komasinski
Terry Bonace with Puller Bear
Larry Silvestri, Greg Lyman, Bill Gilmer and Terry Bonace check out the Puller Bear
Linda Keller, Mary Szpur, Greg Lyman, Terry Bonace, Bill Gilmer
Larry Silvestri, Greg Lyman, Bill Gilmer, Linda Keller, Terry Bonace, Candice Peterson-Smith
Terry addresses volunteers at the Community House
Candice provides guidance on invasives
In the thick of things
Joe Gallo, Jane Gallo, Brian Horwood, Terry Bonace, Liza Berkoff, Larry Rubin, Lori Rubin
Left to right: Candice Peterson-Smith, Steve Coughlin, Kim Wellman, Tom Thorne-Thomsen, Kevin Fitzgerald, Mary Szpur, Terry Bonace, Doug Elish.
Left to right: Diana Stezalski, Dean Blobaum, Maureen Duffy, Andre Daugavietis, Leslie Semmel, Candice Peterson-Smith, Terry Bonace, Ausra Zarins, Larry Stanton, Donna Tuke.
Terry Bonace identifying an invasive for Dean Blobaum, Leslie Semmel, and Donna Tuke
Donna Tuke
Left to right: Candice Peterson-Smith, Maureen Duffy, Dean Blobaum, Terry Bonace
Left to right: Leslie Semmel, Donna Tuke, Terry Bonace
Andre Daugavietis with Puller Bear
Left to right: Larry Stanton, Andre Daugavietis, Maureen Duffy, Dean Blobaum, Diana Stezalski
