Invasive Species Program

April 22 – September 23 | Second Tuesday | 10 am-Noon * Fourth Tuesday | 6 pm – 8 pm | All sessions in September are at 10 am

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 remove/treat 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 by the gazebo along Lincoln Lake 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 be added to our email list to receive reminders about upcoming events and cancellations due to weather, contact Sara Bolan at sarab@affew.org or by phone 815-592-9032.

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.

Below is information compiled by Dave Dister, local botanist and author of The Birds of Mason County, Michigan, regarding invasive species he has identified at Cartier Park and his extensive research on the “Vascular Flora of Ludington State Park”. He’s also provided additional resources you may find interesting.

Michigan Flora On-Line ( Michigan Flora ) [note that distribution maps by county don’t distinguish between native plants and escapes from cultivation, though species accounts may comment on that]

A Field Guide to the Natural Communities of Michigan (Joshua G. Cohen, Michael A. Kost, Bradford S. Slaughter, & Dennis A. Albert), MNFI, Michigan State University Press, 2015

Native American Medicinal Plants, An Ethnobotanical Dictionary, Daniel E. Moerman, Timber Press, 2009

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

Invasive Plant Removal-CANCELLED

Help treat and remove a variety of invasive plants species at Cartier Park. A discussion to help identify these plants will take place at 6:30 pm. Meet at the dog park by at the end of Rath Ave.

Invasive Plant Walking Tour

The North Country CISMA and AFFEW will host a walking tour in Cartier Park, and focus on identification of invasive plant species, recommended treatment methods and the benefits to native plant species. Participants will be able to partake in hands-on identification of plants, view past treatment areas and a native wildflower demonstration garden. Please bring a mask and plan on maintaining an appropriate distance from others on the tour. Those interested in joining are invited to bring a bag lunch and stick around after the walk for a dispersed picnic lunch (likely on the lawn around the gazebo!) and further discussion on invasives. Meet at the dog park by at the end of Rath Ave. 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 plants species at Cartier Park. This month we will be removing oriental bittersweet. A discussion to help identify these plants will take place. Meet at the dog park by at the end of Rath Ave. Bring water, gloves and wear long pants, long sleeved shirt and closed toed shoes.

Household Hazardous Waste Day

Get the Hint, Don’t Leave Your Footprint”: What is Household Hazardous Waste?

Every third Saturday in August, since 2007, the conservation districts in Manistee, Mason, and Oceana Counties offer three collection sites for the community to safely dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) and agricultural pesticides. Each location also collects pharmaceuticals, batteries, recyclable oil, oil-based paints, electronics and appliances from households. The HHW project takes year-long planning and a dedicated committee of conservation district staff and volunteers for a successful collection day. Throughout the year leading up to the HHW collection, the committee requests funding allocations, manage outreach activities, hire professional waste disposal or recycling services, and gather volunteers and supplies needed for the collection day. During collection day, committee members help supervise each of the three sites to make sure the event runs smoothly. The HHW project would not be possible without the dedicated committee members and numerous volunteers that work hard every year for a successful event.

Invasive Plant Removal-POSTPONED!

Due to Covid-19 we have postponed AFFEW group outings until July. Visit our Community Pride page for suggestions on how you and your household can work on projects on your own.

Help treat and remove a variety of invasive plants species at Cartier Park. A discussion to help identify these plants will take place. Meet at the dog park by 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.

Tag: mason-lake conservation district