About
About the organizer
Hello, my name is Hunter Gibbs, and I'm a senior from Billings West High School. I became involved with this project because I am deeply passionate about Montana's environment. Our family spends a lot of time participating in recreation, from backpacking and boating, to skiing and camping. By spreading awareness on this issue, I hope to help contain invasive species to allow families to enjoy Montana's outdoors for generations to come.
What is buckthorn, and why it is so harmful for the environment?
Buckthorn is a woody bush plant native to Europe. Colonists brought it to the United States in the 1700's as an ornamental plant, but little did they know that it would become a severe problem to the ecosystem. Buckthorn outcompetes native plant species by blocking sunlight with its dense foliage and stealing nutrients and water from the soil, leaving no opportunities for native specimens to mature. Buckthorn thickets can become so dense that migratory animals like deer are unable to pass through or bed down. Buckthorn spreads by birds eating its berries, travelling, and depositing their waste on the soil. This process has allowed buckthorn to spread throughout the United States and ravage local ecosystems. In Billings, buckthorn exists at ZooMontana, Norm's Island, Riverfront Park, and in other low, sunny areas. If no one acts, then buckthorn will continue to spread and destroy our local parks. By spreading awareness on this issue, I hope to end the spread of invasive species, and you can help, too.
How can I support this cause?
To support this project, please consider volunteering for Project Buckthorn under the "Volunteer RSVP" tab, and/or donate to this cause under the "Donate" tab. Thanks for your support!