Habitat Restoration and Invasive Species Management
Invasive species are non-native organisms that can cause harm to the environment, the economy, or human, animal, or plant health.
BCEC and the Green Team are working both to raise awareness and stop the spread of invasive species, and to actively remove invasive plants from public land and replace them with native plants.
About Invasive Species
New Jersey enacted legislation on January 20, 2026, to restrict the propagation, sale, and distribution of prohibited invasive species in the state.
The following species have been prohibited, but this list is subject to change:
Norway maple (Acer platanoides) | English ivy (Hedera helix) | Callery or Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana) |
tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) | Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus) | common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) |
mimosa tree or Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) | European privet (Ligustrum vulgare) | jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens) |
porcelain berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata) | Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) | multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) |
Japanese angelica tree (Aralia elata) | Morrow's honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) | European water chestnut (Trapa natans) |
Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) | purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) | Siebold's arrowwood (Viburnum sieboldii) |
Japanese clematis (Clematis terniflora) | Japanese crabapple (Malus toringo) | Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) |
autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) | Chinese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis) | Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) |
weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) | Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) | sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) |
winged burning bush (Euonymus alatus) | Oriental photinia (Photinia villosa) | running bamboo (Phyllostachys) |
Habitat Restoration in Bordentown City
A survey of invasive species in the city conducted in 2021 identified 18 of the 30 invasive species listed in the table above growing on public property. An additional 17 species generally recognized as moderately to highly invasive in New Jersey were also identified.
BCEC and the Green Team, along with a host of volunteers, have been working since early 2024 to remove the the invasive plants. In some places we have seen native plants fill in after removal of the invasives and in some places, native plants have been been added. Habitat restoration efforts have focused on three areas: Lime Kiln Alley Park, Oliver Street Park, and Anne Street Park.
Habitat Restoration Volunteer Days are generally held the second Sunday of every month, weather permitting. See our events calendar for more information or visit our SignUp Genius to see and sign up for all planned events this year.