PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is brush cutting, mowing, and removing invasive plants at management areas and state lands across Rhode Island now through March. Biologists from DEM's Division of Fish & Wildlife are directing the work as part of the DEM's ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance wildlife habitats at upland sites including grasslands, shrublands, and old fields. DEM conducts habitat management work every winter to control invasive species and other woody plants. If left untouched, these species would overtake the native areas and eventually turn them into forested habitat. Habitat management helps maintain a diversity of habitats in a predominantly forested landscape. This helps sustain populations of plants and wildlife.
At Beavertail State Park, a two-acre field in the northern, undeveloped section of the park that has become overgrown with woody, invasive shrubs will be mowed next month. This area has typically been mowed every other year. Grassland habitats support American woodcock, Eastern box turtle, Monarch butterfly, and many birds including the Northern harrier, as well as rare plants and invertebrates such as Sandplain gerardia and Tiger beetles. A walking path is located around the perimeter of the field.
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