Over the last few years, the Environmental Advisory Council for the Borough of Hatboro has requested the removal of an invasive plant species, known as Mugwort, from Miller Meadow. Mugwort is a plant native to Europe and Eastern Asia and, according to experts, was introduced to North America sometime within the 1600s. Mugwort spreads aggressively and is known to displace native plants wherever it is present. As a result, it can wreak havoc on natural environments and disrupt ecosystems just as it has within Miller Meadow. In addition to its negative impact on the environment, Mugwort is extremely difficult to remove.
Because Mugwort is extremely difficult to remove, the Hatboro Environmental Advisory Council recommended the Borough contract with a qualified expert to execute the removal. One of the experts recommended by the EAC, is Land Stewards, an ecological landscape design company located in Philadelphia. After receiving this recommendation, the Borough of Hatboro conducted site visits with Land Stewards and with another landscape architect to obtain quotes for the removal of the Mugwort. It is important to note that both landscape architect firms recommended the use of herbicides to eradicate the Mugwort due to the size of the area, the number of plants involved, and the size of the plants. These quotes and the corresponding scope of work were presented to Borough Council with Land Stewards being the cheaper of the two companies.
After carefully reviewing both proposals for the removal of the Mugwort, Borough Council voted unanimously to engage Land Stewards to remove the Mugwort from Miller Meadow.
Pursuant to this vote, Land Stewards began the removal of the Mugwort on July 2, 2024. The first phase of this project involved the application of herbicides to the Mugwort that has overrun the majority of the meadow. Following the application of the herbicides, the Borough installed a snow fence around the affected area to keep wildlife away from the freshly sprayed plants.
Land Stewards is a highly experienced ecological-based landscape firm that specializes in design, construction, restoration, and management of meadows and open space. Their firm employs highly qualified landscape architects and licensed herbicide/pesticide applicators. The Borough of Hatboro has received the MS data sheets for the herbicides being used in this project and have made them available for the public to reference.
Once the Mugwort is effectively killed, the Borough of Hatboro Public Works Department will mow the area to remove the dead plants. The freshly mowed area will then be re-seeded with a native seed mix to restore the natural meadow. This will not only benefit Hatboro’s wildlife and pollinators but will benefit residents by beautifying the area.
We thank the Hatboro Environmental Advisory Council for their knowledge and expertise in invasive plants and helping this project come to fruition.
Residents who have questions or concerns regarding this project should contact Borough Hall at 215-443-9100.