The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke would like to inform the community that expanded buckthorn removal activities will take place in the Big Fence forest from October 8th to 16th.
Over the past two years, KEPO has seen encouraging results through its invasive buckthorn management pilot project. Monitoring has shown a significant reduction in buckthorn cover within treated areas, allowing native vegetation to recover and improving overall forest health. Building on this success, KEPO is expanding its efforts this fall, working with a local contractor to remove additional invasive buckthorn shrubs and trees throughout the Big Fence area.
Community members may notice crews working in the forest during this period. Trees and shrubs identified for removal may be flagged in advance. As in previous years, control efforts primarily involve manually cutting invasive buckthorn and applying glyphosate-based herbicide to the cut stumps to prevent regrowth.
This work is part of a broader forest restoration initiative guided by an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. In addition to controlling invasive buckthorn, KEPO is restoring native vegetation to support long-term forest health. Later this month, cleared areas will be replanted with native trees and shrubs that provide improved food sources, shelter, and habitat for local wildlife.
Signage will be posted in active work areas, and community members are asked to use caution when travelling through the site while crews are present.
KEPO appreciates the community’s continued support as it works to restore and protect the health of local forests for future generations.
For more information, please contact KEPO at 450-635-0600.
