Invasive Species Program

April 25 – September 26 | Second Tuesday | 10 am-Noon   *   Fourth Tuesday | 6 pm – 8 pm

Help treat and remove a variety of invasive plant species at Cartier Park. A discussion to identify these plants will take place before we begin. AFFEW partners with the City of Ludington, Mason-Lake Conservation District and North Country CISMA to eradicate these aggressive plants. Below is more information on some of the challenging invasive plants at Cartier Park.

Check the schedule on our Events and Activities page for dates we’ll be meeting. Meet at the Ludington Central Bark Park at the end of Rath Ave. Bring water, gloves and wear long pants, long sleeved shirt and closed toed shoes. Event will be held in fair weather, and sometimes wraps up early, depending on site conditions. Please note: both September events will be at 10 am.  To receive a reminder email about upcoming events and cancellations due to weather, email Sara Bolan at sarab@affew.org.

Unfortunately some of these invasive species can still be bought at nurseries and big box stores. When considering plants for your property choose native species over invasive.  Once an invasive plant escapes into a natural area it can cause significant issues for native plants and wildlife. This includes altering soil chemistry in a way that gives future generations of invasive plants a competitive advantage. 

Learn more about invasive species and how to report them on North Country CISMA‘s website. View their High Priority Species  page for more information on identify invasive plant species in Michigan.

Invasive Plant Species Identification

• Autumn Olive
• Dame’s Rocket
• Garlic Mustard
• Japanese Barberry
• Multiflora Rose
• Oriental Bittersweet
• Tree of Heaven

Native Species Alternatives

• Native Shrubs to replace Autumn Olive
• Phlox instead of Dame’s Rocket
  
• Garlic Mustard replacements
• Alternatives to Japanese Barberry
  
• Michigan Rose
• American Bittersweet
• Other options to Tree of Heaven