The plant was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant for gardens, and once its planted it will take over, Castillo said.
New Reid Park is one of the locations that has been affected by the invasive plant.
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The park has about 1,000 acres of land and only 18 full time employees, making it impossible to keep up with the invasive plant, Castillo said.
But it is possible with the help of students like Amanda Brown.
“It’s important we get rid of it because it takes over all the good plants and we can’t have that,” Brown said.
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The senior also said its important to help the community because it helps in the long run.
Fellow student Cameron Algren agreed.
“This is an important thing for our school because our school is about really giving back to the community and helping them out. Not just learning about making good people for the future,” Algren said.
Friday was National Day of Service.
Students and instructors from Global Impact STEM Academy used the day to volunteer with the city of Springfield.
They were at various sites around the city Lisa Duffey, a science instructor with the school, said.
“Some at Clark County Fairgrounds painting trash barrels to make them look nicer, some went to the food bank, and some at school doing some school beautification,” Duffey said.
All students take a class called Environmental Sustainability, said Duffey.
It is a science, technology, engineering and math, also known as STEM school with a bioscience, agriculture focus.
They hope this day of service, along with this class, will stay with students.
That way it will help everyone, in more ways than one, in the future.
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