Norfolk Volunteers Target English Ivy to Save Trees
The Coastal Invasive Removal Team is working to protect local trees from damage caused by encroaching vines.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Environmental
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Ruth Amundsen and Melissa Teates launched the Coastal Invasive Removal Team to combat English ivy in Norfolk. Volunteers work to clear the invasive vines from trees across the city to prevent premature decay.
Why it matters
Removing English ivy prevents trees from dying prematurely, which keeps stored carbon trapped rather than released into the atmosphere. The effort also helps maintain vital urban tree benefits like shade, flooding absorption, and animal habitat.
Volunteers typically work between 9 a.m. and noon using tools like hammers and crowbars to pry invasive vines from trunks. This process is essential because ivy holds moisture that accelerates fungal infections while siphoning critical resources.
The players
Ruth Amundsen
She is a co-founder of the Coastal Invasive Removal Team.
Melissa Teates
She is a co-founder of the Coastal Invasive Removal Team.
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
This organization provides necessary equipment for the removal project.
The details
The Coastal Invasive Removal Team operates in the Hampton Roads area to strip ivy that blocks sunlight and compromises tree structural integrity. The group relies on tools provided by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network to perform these manual removals.
Timeline
Fall 2026: Volunteer weekend cleanup events occurred in Norfolk.
October 18, 2026: A crew performed a cleanup behind Honda of Norfolk on Tidewater Drive.
November 14, 2026: The final scheduled cleanup event occurs at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens.
The Big Picture
This initiative follows a pattern set by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network by utilizing organized volunteer action to address climate-related stressors. The effort marks a shift toward grassroots management of invasive species to preserve urban canopy health.
Residents can participate in upcoming efforts to directly improve the health of local tree canopies in parks and public areas. These cleanups preserve the natural cooling and flood mitigation benefits provided by mature trees in the local community.
The takeaway
Maintaining a healthy tree canopy is an effective way to support local climate resilience and reduce the risk of flooding. Property owners can help by regularly inspecting trees for invasive vines and removing them before they cause significant structural damage.
What happens next
The Coastal Invasive Removal Team has one final cleanup event scheduled for November 14, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens.
Further reading
Learn more about local preservation efforts in the Norfolk Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHRO Public Media.
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Should local residents take active responsibility for removing invasive plants from their community's trees?
