Invasive Management at Historic Blenheim Open House

Next date: Wednesday, September 09, 2026 | 05:30 PM to 07:00 PM

Interested in learning more about how the city is managing invasive vegetation at Historic Blenheim? Join the Urban Forestry Division on September 9 for an open house to hear about upcoming work plans.

The open house will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. with a guided site tour at approximately 6:15 p.m. Community members are welcome to join the open house throughout the meeting duration to browse informational displays and engage with project staff.

Agenda

5:30-7 p.m.: Open house to browse displays summarizing project background and scope

6:15-6:30 p.m. (approximate): Staff-led site tour of invasive management areas

Project Background

Historic Blenheim comprises just under 12 acres of land with 67% (2023) tree canopy coverage. The majority of the site's tree canopy is located within woodland areas around its perimeter that are highly infested with non-native, invasive species, such as bush honeysuckle, Asiatic (oriental) bittersweet, and Japanese angelica tree.

Invasive species negatively impact forest health by outcompeting native species, suppressing ecosystem functions, and blocking sunlight to young trees.

In June and July 2026, staff began work to restore habitat on approximately 3.5 acres of the property with a treatment of prescribed grazing. This work provided initial control of dense brush to allow staff and contractor site access to the forest understory. A second phase of work to clear remaining invasive woody vegetation is planned for late September 2026.

After initial removal work is complete, staff will follow up with targeted herbicide treatments and native plantings to accelerate natural forest regeneration and prevent reinfestation. Tree planting is anticipated later in 2027.