Operation WRIP (Watchung Reservation Invasive Plants) will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Registration is required to participate. Participation is FREE.

The goal of the event will be to remove as many invasive plants from the Watchung Reservation forest ecosystem as possible in one morning.

On that date, it is expected that Japanese barberry and multiflora rosa bushes will be the only plants in the forest with green leaves, making it easy to identify them. The plants will be removed by pulling, digging up the root balls, or cutting.

Participants must arrive and check-in at 8:30 am. Participants will park at the Trailside Nature & Science Center parking lot, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside and will gather at the amphitheater located between there and the Scout Camping Area. Union County Parks staff will provide instructions on how to remove plants and then make assignments. All participants will return to the amphitheater at noon to check-out.

All Cub Scout participants and any individual Scout BSA participants will be assigned to areas close to the Trailside Nature & Science Center.

County staff and Watchung Reservation Trail Stewards will be on site to provide logistical support and technical guidance. Some work gloves and tools will be available for use by event participants.

Service hours can be credited toward rank advancements. Operation WRIP will be a light rain or shine event.

This event will be presented by the Union County Board of County Commissioners. All participants are asked to register by Monday, March 31, 2025. Complete details will be provide to participants after they register.

Operation WRIP

By Edison Cub Scout Pack 12

Operation WRIP

Remove Invasive Plants from Watchung