Volunteers have been hard at work at Hoblitzelle Park in Plano, focusing their efforts on the removal of invasive privet (Ligustrum spp.), a fast-growing shrub that displaces native plants and disrupts local ecosystems.
Over the past several months, teams have cleared large volumes of this aggressive invader from the park’s natural areas. Privet creates dense thickets that crowd out native species, reduce biodiversity, and degrade wildlife habitat. By removing it, we are opening space for native grasses, wildflowers, trees and shrubs to thrive again—restoring balance to the landscape and supporting healthier ecosystems.
While the work can be physically demanding, our team is having a great time being out in nature, making a visible impact, and sharing laughs along the way. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing the transformation of a site and knowing you’re making a difference. It’s not just about pulling plants—it’s about building community, learning together, and protecting the natural spaces we all enjoy.
This effort is part of a larger, ongoing mission to improve habitat quality in Hoblitzelle Park and preserve the natural beauty and ecological value of this important urban green space.
Here are a few additional photos from a Plano Parks workday at Arbor Hills
