North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth talks about invasive species of plants and animals on the next episode of “Off the Trail,” NHTV’s own award-winning nature show hosted by Ranger Eric Powers. The episode also takes a look at the migration of coyotes onto Long Island and the changing suburban landscape.
“Invasive species of plants are everywhere and we do our best to fight their encroachment,” said Bosworth. “In our Clark Botanic Garden, for example, we clear the ponds each season of nympoides, an invasive water lily that blocks the sunlight from getting through. We also have new laws on the books restricting the use of invasive bamboo on property, due to its aggressive nature that can result in it burrowing under a neighbor’s property.”
In addition, Town Horticulturist Bonnie Klein also educates viewers about the difference between invasive species and native and non-native plants.
“Non-native plants do not necessarily mean they are invasive plants,” said Klein. “An invasive plant is a non-native causes economical or ecologically causes harm to our ecosystem. Invasives take over our ecosystems and kill our native plants and they also can cause harm to wildlife because they take away a lot of the plants that produce food for our wildlife.”
This ninth episode of “Off the Trail” also includes an extensive interview with Dr. Russell Burke, chair of Biology and Urban Ecology at Hofstra University, who studies the migration of coyotes in and around the New York metropolitan area. Burke co-authored a 2015 report titled “Coyotes Go ‘Bridge and Tunnel,’” that maintains their arrival on Long Island is “inevitable.”
“Off The Trail is the first place winner of the 2016 and 2017 Alliance for Community Media’s Annual Hometown Media Awards in the Entertainment and Arts Series. The nature series is directed by Alan Ginsberg and Samantha Hollinde of AGinsberg Productions LLC, and produced by Carole Trottere, director of communications for North Hempstead and biologist Eric Powers of Your Connection to Nature.
“Off The Trail” takes a look at local nature and our natural surroundings in the North Hempstead area, observing everything from global warming and its effects on our environment to exploring what’s below the waters of Long Island Sound.
To see the full episode of Off The Trail, visit mynhtv.com.
