Leonard Katz would often walk the Coal Road Trail at the Lone Tree Hill nature preserve in Belmont, but not without being whacked by knotweed.
“People might pick up ticks when they walk or bike,” Katz said.
Along with Dean Hickman, Katz leads the Belmont Conservation Volunteers, a group that protects the town’s native plants and restores its natural spaces by controlling the spread of ecologically harmful invasive plants, like knotweed.
Katz is a “semi-retired” academic philosopher who has a research appointment at Harvard University. He’s always loved to hike — that’s where his interest in controlling invasive species stemmed from.
Hickman, meanwhile, is a scientist who works for a nonprofit organization looking to develop drugs for tuberculosis, who runs through the woods at Lone Tree Hill on occasion. He’s gained appreciation for the preserve over time.
“Once you start appreciating the woods, you want to put a little effort in to help and organize other people to do the same,” he said.
With permission from the town, Katz, Hickman, and other volunteers are permitted to work on land over which the Land Management Committee for Lone Tree Hill, the Conservation Commission, and the Select Board have jurisdiction. But they are only allowed to use handheld tools to control specific species.
One species the group is able to control is Akebia quinata, commonly known as chocolate vine. It’s an evergreen ground cover and climbing vine that kills native shrubs and taller canopy trees by twining and climbing, which results in a reduction of plant biodiversity and overall quality of natural communities.
“If we don’t keep up with it, then there will not be regeneration of the forest with young trees that are needed long term to replace the old trees that die,” Katz said.
As the calendar turns to May and June, the focus will shift to Alliaria petiolata, commonly known as garlic mustard, which is also a threat to biodiversity. If the plant is not pulled, it drops “hundreds of seeds,” Hickman said, which further smothers native plants.
“It’s very easy for volunteers to pull those kinds of things, so it’s a good introduction to something you can do that’s beneficial for the woods,” he added.
The Belmont Conservation Volunteers also help lead activities at annual events sponsored by community organizations year-round such as the Belmont Citizens Forum Volunteer Day at Lone Tree Hill on April 26 and Belmont Serves on Indigenous Peoples’ Day in October.
Anna Churchill, who works part-time in human resources and teaches women’s health education on the side, is an active volunteer. She’s interested in learning more about the environment and the plants around her.
Churchill said she saw a post online calling for volunteers and thought it was a great way to “get outside, to meet people, and to spend some time volunteering.”
“Going out and doing something like pulling garlic mustard – you’re not just doing that, you’re also learning about the other plants that are nearby,” Churchill said. “And you’re meeting people like Leonard, who is very knowledgeable about other plants that are growing around there. So I’ve learned a lot.”
Arthur Kreiger, a retired environmental and land use lawyer, has become a certified Master Gardener. As his legal career has wound down, Kreiger has spent more time removing invasive species and planting native plants.
He volunteers removing invasive species across greater Boston and spends time with the Belmont Conservation Volunteers because the town needs remediation.
For Kreiger, Katz, and Hickman, this type of work is important because these invasive species are green, lush, and look harmless.
“They’re destructive to the local environment,” Kreiger said. “It’s just as important as any other aspect of environment protection.”
This story is part of a partnership between the Belmont Voice and the Boston University Department of Journalism.