FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- A group of dedicated volunteers spent their time on Saturday helping to restore the natural beauty to Jefferson County Park’s wooded areas.
They were looking to remove one specific type of weed, Garlic Mustard. It is a fast-spreading, invasive woodland weed.
“Every April it blooms and when it blooms it's the time to pull it out. And when you pull it out you want to get the roots but you also have to take or carry it out of the woodland because if you just leave it there, it'll go on and make seeds and mature seeds even though it’s pulled out,” said Laura McCormick, a member of Fairfield’s Sierra Club.
Garlic mustard is so aggressive that it can crowd out all of the native species and spring flowers that make the woods naturally beautiful.
“It’s just like any other upkeep. This is just something that needs to be done,” said McCormick.
McCormick said this is a great opportunity to get out in nature and explore, all while helping preserve the woods.