As part of the city’s on-going efforts to restore the natural habitat in city parks, the city has hired a contractor to do more significant removals of woody invasive trees and shrubs from Rotary Park this winter. Past efforts have opened up the understory to native wildflowers, grasses and shrubs, leading to much higher populations of butterflies, bees and other wildlife, and the work this winter will further open up the understory for even more of them. Buckthorn is a particular problem in Rotary Park, as it shades out the understory, creating bare soil and a barren habitat that does not support wildlife. We will be leaving all native trees (hawthorns, cottonwoods, maples, boxelders, oaks and ashes) and native shrubs (many different types of dogwoods and viburnums), which provide valuable food and nesting areas for birds. The areas to be worked on are highlighted on the attached map. Some areas will look much different as they are almost completely buckthorn, but as they recover, they will have much more color and natural life for you to enjoy as you walk or drive through the park. There will continue to be sufficient cover for wildlife that use the park in the native plants to remain. Residents adjacent to the park (or anywhere in the City) are encouraged to remove buckthorn and other invasive species from their own yards. If you have any questions about what is and isn’t invasive, please contact Rick Meader, City Landscape Architect, at rmeader@cityofnovi.org or (248) 735-5621.