The Purple Project The Purple Project incorporates local high school students in raising special beetles for release at Utica Marsh. These beetles feed on and thus reduce the growth of purple loosestrife, an invasive wetland plant. Though pretty when in flower, purple loosestrife is damaging to our native wetland vegetation. Local schools have been actively involved in the Purple Project by raising beetles for release at Utica Marsh. In 2007-08, schools that participated included: Brookfield, Donovan Middle School (Utica), Holland Patent, Perry Junior High (New Hartford), Poland, Remsen, Waterville, Whitesboro, and BOCES Environmental Class (dug the rootcrowns for the project). Below is a slideshow to show some of the students that help and outline what the Purple Project process is. If your school is interesting in participating in the Purple Project please contact Ernest Williams via email at ewilliam@hamilton.edu.