Weeds, knots, brats at National Trails Day
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The River to River Trail Society held its annual National Trails Day celebration Saturday at Glen O. Jones Lake with a picnic, knot demonstrations and a speech on invasive plants.
Chris Evans, River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area Coordinator, told the group the greatest invasive plant species threat to our forests are bush honeysuckle, garlic mustard and Japanese Stiltgrass.
Many invasive species -- such as autumn olive and Japanese honeysuckle -- grow only in the sunny border zones of our forests, but these three grow within the shady forest and have the potential to choke out native plants.
He asked the crowd to call state or federal officials when they find areas of these plants.
John O'Dell showed the crowd how to tie a bowline knot, useful for lowering oneself down a steep grade.
Eric Johnson demonstrated the tug bowline and truckers hitch.
Anne Gaylord showed how to tie up an extension cord in a manageable way using a crocheting technique.