In the verdant expanses of Minnesota, a green enemy lurks. Buckthorn, an invasive shrub, has become a formidable opponent to the local ecosystem. But Minnesotans aren't standing idly by; they're tackling the shrub head-on. City and state programs are doing their part, but it's the local volunteers like Anders Westanmo, Pat Nelson, and Mike Borowiak who are leading the charge against this ecological menace.

These individuals have been relentlessly working together with the City of Bloomington and Three Rivers District, adopting a hefty 19-acre slice of Hyland Park for their mission. “Working with the City of Bloomington and Three Rivers District, we adopted a 19-acre lot in Hyland Park,” Westanmo said, according to BloomingtonMN.gov. They're fighting against buckthorn's dense canopies that steal sunlight and nutrients from native flora.

The impact of buckthorn extends beyond the forest floor. When it dominates, local wildlife suffers from a lack of nutritious fodder, as buckthorn leaves are far poorer in nutritional value compared to the native vegetation they displace. Nelson, who dedicates his time between his duties as a father and his role as a teacher, told BloomingtonMN.gov, “Much of Bloomington’s forests are infested with buckthorn.”

Winter isn't traditionally seen as the season for gardening, but for buckthorn busters, it's the ideal time for chemical control to be most effective. Borowiak, a clinical social worker, also emphasized the importance of community engagement, stating, “It’s a small action to take to help our city,” as per BloomingtonMN.gov. He believes that it is with the collective effort of many that this environmental problem can truly start to be effectively managed.

To inform and engage more citizens in this ecological battle, information on how to participate is readily available online. Those interested are encouraged to visit blm.mn/eco-land-stewardship for details on how to join these eco-warriors in their quest to reclaim Minnesota's forests from the clutches of buckthorn.