Gwinnett County, GA, December 27, 2019 — Alegre Farm of Dacula, GA recently partnered with the upper Ocmulgee River Resource and Development Council to host a Privet Pull at their 15 acre farm in Gwinnett County. Volunteers from the local community helped remove invasive Chinese Privet from the landscape, helping to restore the natural habitat and native plants. In the process, the volunteers gained knowledge of this non-native species and the steps they can take to secure the health of vegetation in their community.
John Butler, Water Resources Outreach Manager for the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, was onsite to provide oversight and education. “Events such as the Privet Pull at Alegre Farm are one of the many ways the Upper Ocmulgee RC&D works to improve our communities by balancing environmental quality with economic and cultural development,” said Butler. “Removing invasive Chinese Privet is a very important step to achieving a more sustainable landscape and provides excellent educational opportunities for Alegre Farm to teach the community about native plants, pollinators, and biodiversity.”
Pilar Quintero, Owner/Operator of Alegre Farm was excited to have the support of RC&D Council at their inaugural pull. “RC&D provided a great lesson on privet, and the volunteers gained in-depth knowledge of streams, native and invasive species, and how to create balance that supports nature. We plan to continue educating others and this will be a great hands-on education station to implement for field trips and tours. We need to make a conscious effort to be good stewards of the land, and sometimes simple steps can make a big difference.”
The non-native Chinese Privet is an environmental pest that grows rapidly along streams and trails, making it difficult for native plants and wildlife to thrive. It can displace native trees and impede germination of native seedlings. Both leaves and berries are poisonous to animals and humans. Privet’s pollen and scent may also contribute to respiratory disorders such as asthma and hay fever. Removal of Chinese privet is critical as it is highly resilient – this pest tolerates environmental extremes such as drought, cold and wet conditions.
ABOUT ALEGRE FARM
Alegre Farm is a farm & event facility located in Dacula, GA. It is a center for agriculturally-based education, agritourism, and economic development as well as a beautiful place to gather for special moments like weddings, birthday parties, vow renewals, and corporate or community events.
