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Invasive Species Network News
February 2019
Cheers to making it (almost) through winter! Spring is only three weeks away and at ISN, we are fully shifting into field and outreach season mode. As mentioned in last month's edition, 2019 events have been planned. Read on below or
visit our website to get important dates marked on your calendar. We are also hiring for our summer treatment crew (2 positions). If you are interested in working with us this summer, or know someone who might be, please
check out the complete position description.
The month's newsletter outlines upcoming partner events, highlights another invasive ornamental, features our 'February Partner of the Month', and discusses some of the great work that is being done in cooperation with
local townships and municipalities.
Yours in Conservation,
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 ISN Events
"Shoreline Protection, Storm Runoff, and Utilizing Rain Gardens"
Partner Events
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Blooming dame's rocket
Photo: Rob Routledge |
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Plan Before You Plant:
Native Alternatives to Invasive Species
Dame's Rocket
Many invasive species that are still sold in nurseries and used by landscapers have native lookalikes. These alternatives grow similarly but stay contained - habi
tat remains
intact and the
plants play host to
a wealth of pollinators.
This month, our featured invasive ornamental is dame's rocket. It blooms in late spring/early summer and is easy to spot with its pink and purple blossoms, which have four petals. Don't mistake it with native phlox which has five petals!
Dame's rocket is commonly used in wildflower seed mixes. Always double check the contents of a pre-made mix before dispersing it in your landscape. If you like the size and color of dame's rocket, there are several great alternatives including blue-eyed grass and foxglove beardtongue.
For more native plants, please
visit our website
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*Plan Before you Plant brochures are available from ISN
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Blue-eyed grass
(
Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
Photo: Cindy Retherford
Iris family - perennial with light green leaves that form dense, tufted clumps. Light blue, star-shaped flowers bloom above the leaves. Grows to 1-1.5 feet tall and flowers appear in early summer.
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Foxglove beardtongue
(
Penstemon digitalis)
Photo: Dan Mullen
Robust perennial that grows 2-5 feet tall and blooms with white, five-lobed flowers. Blooms in late spring and a favorite among hummingbirds and bees.
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Townships Role in Managing Invasive Species
ISN does a lot of work with land managers (like the
Huron-Manistee National Forest and
Leelanau Conservancy) and the public (like garden clubs and cost-share treatments for landowners). Often overlooked are partnerships with a different kind of organization: local governments.
Several townships are helping ISN communicate with their residents. Some included an ISN flier in their tax mailings, others shared information on Facebook, and some, like Crystal Lake Township in Benzie County share information directly. "Crystal Lake Township is pleased to help ISN spread the word about invasive species," says Township Supervisor, Amy Ferris. To keep the burden of questions on ISN and off Township staff, this is achieved "through outreach materials
on our website and in our newsletter, and by keeping informative materials supplied in the office."
Other townships are being proactive with removing invasive species. "After working with ISN on the control of garlic mustard and Japanese barberry for several years, Filer Township was eager to manage other invasive species," says Filer Township Supervisor Terry Walker. "Autumn olive has really spread dramatically in several areas in our 97-acre park and we are now trying to get it under control. ISN spent a day with us this past fall and we are very grateful for the technical guidance they gave us. With their help, we were able to get a good start on controlling this invasive species. We value our natural areas, and this is just a portion of what we are doing to keep them in good shape for our residents now and in the future."
Of course, ISN is not only working with townships on these projects. Villages (like Honor), cities (like Traverse City), Home Owner Associations (like Harbor Village in Manistee), Lake Associations (like Benzie Long Lake Association), and other groups are also stepping up to work with ISN on invasive species management. Don't see your government or group on the
list of ISN partners? Reach out to us! We'd love to have you involved.
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| Filer Township supervisor and employees removing autumn olive from Magoon Creek Natural Area in Manistee, 2018. |
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February Partner of the Month
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Huron-Manistee
National Forests
Comprising over a million acres of public lands across the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, the Huron-Manistee National Forests provides recreation opportunities for visitors, habitat for fish and wildlife, and resources for local industry. Working through many partnerships in the past and into the future, the Forest Service is transforming the lands back into healthy forests.
Learn more
about the Huron-Manistee National Forests!
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Find ISN on Social Media
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