In 2008, the Seneca Park Zoo Keeper Chapter joined the New York State Adopt A Highway program. We adopted a patch of highway is on the westbound side of Route 104 just before the Bay Bridge. In addition to cleaning up the litter, we are also maintaining a Grow Native flower garden. Native plants such as Black-eyed Susans and Coreopsis have adapted so well that they require much less care such as watering and fertilizing than their exotic, ornamental counterparts. However, survival of our native plants is threatened by exotic invasive plants such as purple loosestrife, swallow wort and Japanese knotweed Invasive, alien plants lack enemies, thus overgrowing and out competing our native plants altering habitat and endangering wildlife. The invasive purple loosestrife chokes out and shades our wetlands making it impossible for the warm summer sun to reach incubating spotted and bog turtle eggs. Yes, invasive plants are killing our turtles.
What can you do?
- Avoid adding invasive, perennial plants listed below to your home garden. Pull these plants from your property before they seed. Discourage garden centers from selling the invasive plants. For a list of invasive plants please click here.
- GROW NATIVE! Landscape your yard with native New York plants. To learn more about native plants, please click here. Encourage your garden centers to sell native, indigenous plants and seeds.
For more information on the Adopt-a-Highway program please click here.