Crestwood, the Missouri Department of Conservation and Back to Nature partners are inviting volunteers to cleanup invasive honeysuckle during a “Back to Nature Honeysuckle Hack” at a Crestwood city park Saturday. 

From 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 24, volunteers can remove invasive honeysuckle at Crestwood Park, 9739 Meadowfern Drive. The park is located at the end of the drive

After the clean-up, the park will host a “Post-Hack Outreach Celebration” from noon to 2 p.m. Attendees can enjoy family-friendly nature-themed activities and learn about the efforts to restore native habitat in the park. The free event is open to all and will also feature a nature scavenger hunt and follow-your-own-adventure game with prizes. 

Pre-registration online is encouraged at openspacestl.org. Check-in will begin at 8:45 a.m. Those 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.  All equipment will be provided; it is recommended that volunteers wear long sleeves and pants. 

The MDC previously awarded a grant to Crestwood for the clean up of Crestwood Park. The grant provides funding for native habitat restoration and reconstruction on public park property. The Missouri Botanical Garden has identified bush honeysuckle as one of most destructive invasive species in the region.  

The Back to Nature grant is offered every three years and recipients can receive up to $75,000 over a three-year period. Recipients are expected to invest funds into the project on a 75-25 basis. Specific projects at Crestwood Park include the removal of invasive plants, stream restoration, woodland enhancement, creating a prairie and installing a pollinator garden.