Mowing Phragmites on the Salt Marsh

Here some of our NEMMC staff visited mowing sites in Revere.

Staff pictured from left to right. Top row: Ross Mehaffey (Field Technician), Kimberly Foss (Entomogist), Barry Noone (Operations Manager). Bottom row: Katelynn King (Wetlands Project Coordinator), Robyn Januszewski (IT/Biologist), Andrew Sheehan (Field Technician), Kelsey Liakos (Field Technician), and Bill Mehaffey (District Director).

Not pictured: Jake Greaney (Field Technician), Jessica Lambert (Seasonal), and Vickie Ambrifi (Seasonal).

Phragmites (Phragmites australis) is an invasive, aggressive wetland plant that out-competes native plants. It reduces water flow which promotes mosquito breeding, and makes it difficult for our staff to treat those areas for mosquito larvae. 

We use customized snow groomers, outfitted with a flail mower to cut the Phragmites on the salt marsh. This allows native vegetation to grow back on the salt marsh and allow access for us to treat for mosquitos. We work to promote a healthier salt marsh while reducing mosquito nuisance for the public.