Tag: Invasive Species

Invasive Species Identification & Control Presentation

Oriental Bittersweet

Have you ever wondered why certain plants in your yard keep coming back even after they’ve been removed multiple times? Most likely it’s one of the many invasive plant species found in our area. Vicki Sawicki, Program Coordinator for North Country Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (NCCISMA) will share her knowledge about some of the aggressive invasive plants in the Ludington area and how they can be controlled. The main focus will be on Oriental Bittersweet, Japanese Knotweed and Tree of Heaven. Vicki has been working in invasive species since her master’s thesis on purple loosestrife, completed in 1998 at Binghamton University in New York. She worked in invasive species control and habitat restoration for the U.S. Forest Service in Baldwin, before becoming the coordinator for North Country CISMA.

Invasive Plant Removal * NEW DATE!!

Due to increment weather, this event has been moved to September 19!

Help treat and remove a variety of invasive plant species at Cartier Park. In August we pulled several Bush Honeysuckle shrubs. We’ll continue removing this shrub that replaces native plants. Even though it does provide some nectar and berries to insects and birds the leaves are not palatable to most native insects. A discussion to help identify these shrubs will take place before we start.

Meet at the parking area by the gazebo by Lincoln Lake at the end of Rath Ave.  Bring water,  gloves and wear long pants and closed toed shoes. Event will be held in fair weather, and sometimes wraps up early, depending on site conditions.

Invasive Species Removal at Ludington State Park

Help protect the park from invasive plants like garlic mustard and spotted knapweed! We’ll cover the basic plant identification and then pull plants.

Meet at the Amphitheater Parking Lot.

Long sleeve shirts, long pants and closed-toed shoes are highly recommended. Work gloves will be provided, but if you have a favorite pair of work/gardening gloves you may want to bring them. Wearing a hat/bug spray and bringing drinking water is a good idea.  

For more information or to register contact Emily Leslie at LeslieE1@michigan.gov.

Ludington State Park Garlic Mustard Pull

Help protect the park from invasive plants like garlic mustard and spotted knapweed! We’ll cover the basic plant identification and then pull plants near the trailhead. This event is being hosted by the Friends of the Ludington State Park.

Meet at the small parking area at the intersection of Piney Ridge Rd and 19th Street, which is just north of the Hobby Crest Resort. Parking area coordinates: 44.018014, -86.473231

Long sleeve shirts, long pants and closed-toed shoes are highly recommended.

Get registered or for more information contact Emily Leslie at LeslieE1@michigan.gov.

Invasive Plant Removal

Help treat and remove a variety of invasive plant species at Cartier Park. We’ll  be cutting and treating Oriental Bittersweet.  A discussion to help identify these plants will take place before we start.

Meet at the dog park by at the end of Rath Ave. Meet at the dog park by at the end of Rath Ave. Bring water, garden trowel, 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.

Invasive Plant Removal

Help treat and remove a variety of invasive plant species at Cartier Park. We’ll  be pulling Bush Honeysuckle shrubs. This shrub replaces native plants. Even though it does provide some nectar and berries to insects and birds the leaves are not palatable to most native insects. A discussion to help identify these shrubs will take place before we start.

Meet at the parking lot at Rath Ave. and Bryant Rd. Bring water, garden trowel, gloves and wear long pants and closed toed shoes. Event will be held in fair weather, and sometimes wraps up early, depending on site conditions.

Fall Walking Tour at Cartier Park | 10 am

Learn about both invasive and native plants at Cartier Park with Dave Dister, local botanist and author. Dave will take us on a walking tour of the fall growth in the park. He’ll give information on a variety of invasive species, highlighting the progress that was made last year near the gazebo. He’ll also talk about the native plants that were added last fall. Meet by the Bark Park at the end of Rath Ave. by Lincoln Lake.

This event will be held in fair weather, and sometimes wraps up early, depending on site conditions.

Invasive Plant Removal

Help treat and remove a variety of invasive plant species at Cartier Park. We’ll be pulling the challenging shrub Japanese Barberry with the Uprooter tool. A discussion to help identify these plants will take place before we start.

Meet at the dog park by at the end of Rath Ave. Bring water, heavy gloves and wear long pants, long sleeved shirt and closed toed shoes. Gardening sheers and tree loppers are also helpful. Event will be held in fair weather, and sometimes wraps up early, depending on site conditions.

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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.

Japanese barberry

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

Native Species Alternatives

Join AFFEW
Report Invasive Species

Earth Day Celebration

Our annual Earth Day Celebration will be an interactive, in person all day event! We’ll have a variety of speakers presenting and informational booths representing the community and our partners. The day will include activities for children including a live reptile show and a guided hike. We’ll also have tours of the U Dig It Community Garden located behind the church. Visit our Earth Day Celebration page for more information.

 

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