A pile of rusty cans marks the boundary between the former logging camp and the forest beyond. Here invasive plants are spreading from the gardens and lawns of the old logging camp into the forest, displacing native species.

The vigorous invasive species Scotch broom is particularly dense and persistent. Here it crowds up against a clump of maple sprouts in their fall colors and suppresses seedlings of native Douglas fir, redcedar, and hemlock. A monoculture of Scotch broom also eliminates the wild diversity of native shrubs and herbs, which supports complex foodwebs of invertebrates, birds, and other taxa.

Invasive plants, such as the thistle shown here, can be prolific seed producers.

We can sense the challenge of restoring native forest as the land undergoes a transition from the management objectives of intensive forestry to conservation of native ecosystems. In this case it follows a transition of ownership from a forestry company to a land trust. Here, a hardy crew of all-terrain, all-weather volunteers uses a variety of tools to remove invasive weeds so native plants have a greater chance to persist.