The Boston Harbor Association’s Environment Committee has created the IvyBeGone Team to take on the ivy in Burfoot Park. English ivy is not native and does not belong in the park. It is running rampant up trees, crowding out native plants, enveloping benches, and encroaching on paths. It can harm and even take down mature trees. Left alone, ivy will overtake the park. We know that ivy will never be completely eradicated but we can save a lot of trees and native plants.

Join us at Burfoot Park every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., October through May. 

In our first IvyBeGone Team season (Oct 2022 – May 2023), we cleared three pilot sites, and probably fifty trees. The County Department of Public Works removes the ivy we pull. We’re grateful for the County’s support!

After the summer break, the pilot sites were still clear of ivy except for a few stragglers. It’s working! We will monitor and continue clearing ivy from “cleared” areas. 

Rooting out ivy can be fun and a real boost to body, mind, and spirit. You get to know your neighbors, exercise some muscles not often used, and feel productive and satisfied seeing immediate results. Plus, you get a boost by doing something for your community, the trees, and the plants. They would say thank you if they could speak, but they will show their thanks by thriving rather than struggling or dying. 

If you’ve been wanting to do some volunteer work, this is easy, right here in the neighborhood, only two hours once or twice a month, or on your own time once you get the hang of it. We can tell there are ivy pullers who work on their own – thank you! All you need are gloves and a pair of pruners. Small hand saws, loppers, rakes, and cultivators (3-4 pronged hoe-shaped gardening tools) can come in handy if you’ve got them. You’ll get dirty, and maybe cold and wet, so dress appropriately. 

To get on the email list for updates and reminders of ivy-pulling dates, email [email protected].