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Invasive Species Network News
Spring has sprung!
With the awakening of our region's beautiful native plants, also comes the invasive species. With their arrival, the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) sprouts into action with garlic mustard workbees and the introduction of our seasonal staff.
We are proud to introduce you to our seasonal Survey Technicians - Sarah Green and Audrey Menninga! ISN's survey technicians are an important part of our team and collect invaluable data throughout our entire service area.
Scroll down to see a complete list of upcoming events, a list of edible dishes using invasive species, and Japanese barberry dumpster day news.
This month's enews also highlights 2016's source population treatment sites for
Phragmites
, Japanese knotweed, and baby's breath in Benzie and Manistee counties, as well as goals for the 2017 season.
Yours in conservation,
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| Japanese knotweed site on Veterans Oak Grove Drive, Manistee MI |
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 Volunteer Opportunities & Upcoming Events
- Manistee Garlic Mustard Workbee and Lunch - Friday, May 12, 9:00am - 12:00pm
- Grand Traverse Garlic Mustard Workbee and Lunch - Saturday, May 13, 9:00am - 12:00pm
- Japanese Barberry Dumpster Day - Saturday, May 13, 10:00am - 2:00pm | Registration required
- Invasive Species Papermaking - Saturday, May 13, 1:30pm
- Invasive Species Workshop Hosted by Manistee Conservation District- Saturday, May 13, 9:15am - 4:00pm | Registration required
- Benzie Garlic Mustard Workbee and Lunch - Friday, May 19, 9:00am - 12:00pm
- Leelanau Garlic Mustard Workbee and Lunch - Saturday, May 20, 9:00am - 12:00pm
- Japanese Knotweed Community Workshop (Manistee County) - Saturday, June 3, 9:00am - 12:00pm
- Landing Blitz on Crystal Lake - Saturday, July 1, 12:00 - 3:00pm
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On
Saturday, May 13th from 10:00am - 2:00pm
, ISN is giving landowners the opportunity to trade-in invasive Japanese barberry for a coupon good for a non-invasive alternative. Hosted at the Boardman River Nature Center, pre-registered individuals can bring in their removed barberry shrubs to be disposed of correctly. In exchange, they will be given a coupon to a local nursery that participates in ISN's
Go Beyond Beauty
program. This ensures that any replacement plant will be non-invasive and support an array of wildlife! This is a great opportunity to transition your landscape to one that does not threaten nearby natural areas.
Registration is required and the form can be found online, along with additional information. Registration will close on Thursday, May 4, after which ISN will contact you to confirm a drop-off time.
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Garlic Mustard Cuisine
Garlic mustard is native to Europe and was originally brought to the U.S. in the 1800's for food and a medicinal resource. Like other invasive plants on ISN's top 20 list, garlic mustard replaces native plants in high-quality natural areas. This reduces food resources for birds, butterflies, and other native wildlife.
Garlic mustard also
releases chemicals into the soil that limit the growth of other native species. Since this plant is not eaten by many wildlife, the plant has a large competitive advantage over the native species.
Although wildlife may not enjoy the taste of garlic mustard, we sure do! Garlic mustard is a 'short season' herb or green that is great in many dishes including soups, salads, pesto, and as a garlic or onion substitute. Not only does it taste good, it's good for you, high is vitamins A, C, and antioxidants.
Follow this
link for some great garlic mustard recipes.
Remember to onl
y pick garlic mustard in the early season before it flowers to get the best tasting leaves and to prevent the spread of this invasive plant!
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Stopping the source of spread for invasive species such as
Phragmites, Japanese knotweed, and baby's breath
is imperative to the success of invasive species management. Some of the high-risk source populations that have been identified through past surveys and prioritization include large stands of knotweed in the city of Manistee, baby's breath near Elberta Beach, and
Phragmites populations in Manistee Lake and the Manistee River Delta, Arcadia Marsh, and Betsie Bay and the Betsie River. These are high-priority species at the local, state, and Great Lakes regional levels.
The following breaks down 2016 source population treatment sites and goals for 2017.
Phragmites
Treated 2016:
- 164 Acres Treated
- 38 Acres, Manistee lake (10 miles of shoreline)
- 120 Acres, Manistee Delta
- 6 acres, Betsie Bay
Goal 2017:
- 214 Acres to be Treated
- 10 Acres, Betsie Bay
- 40 Acres, Manistee Lake (12 miles of shoreline)
- 160 Acres, Manistee Delta
- 4 Acres Arcadia Marsh
Japanese knotweed
Treated 2016:
- 4 Acres Treated
- Veterans Oak Grove Drive, Manistee (~3/4 mile)
- 8 Stakeholders involved, including private property owners, and local business/city/road commission.
Goal 2017:
- 5 Acres to be Treated
- Veterans Oak Grove Drive, Manistee (1 mile)
- 8 Stakeholders involved, including private property owners, and local business/city/road commission.
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| Treatment of Japanese knotweed in Manistee County on Veterans Oak Grove Drive in 2016 |
Baby's breath
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Removing invasive baby's breath on Elberta Beach (2015). Photo: Emily Cook
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In 2016, ISN partnered with the
Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to remove baby's breath on Elberta Beach in Benzie County. Gradually working our way down the beach, we rely on volunteers to make a big impact!
Join us at one (or more) of our baby's breath workbees this summer. This is a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan while also making a BIG difference. As a bonus, volunteers also receive discounts to local businesses like Stormcloud Brewing, Crescent Bakery, and the Cabbage Shed Restaurant.
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Go Beyond Beauty
For many people, a garden's purpose begins and ends with beauty. However, we believe it is possible to create beautiful spaces that transcend beauty alone. Did you know that many of the plants that are most invasive in local natural areas originally arrived as ornamental garden plants? You can prevent the introduction and spread of invasives by purchasing plants at local nurseries and through landscapers that have committed to not selling high-threat invasive ornamental plants. Additionally, commit to not using invasives in your own landscape. Let's make Northwest Michigan an example of natural beauty, wildlife habitat, healthy waters, and bountiful gardens that inspires across the state of Michigan... and beyond!
We invite all nurseries, landscapers, businesses, organizations, and concerned landowners that are located in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee Counties to participate in Go Beyond Beauty.
Contact us or visit our website for details.
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Invasive Species in the News
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