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Japanese barberry event 2018 in Grand Traverse County
Photo by: Fields Ratliff |
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Invasive Species Network News
The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network works directly with over 40 partners in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee counties. Our mission is to
protect, enhance, and promote northwest Michigan's natural communities through terrestrial invasive plant management and outreach.
In this month's issue you will find an alert for an
Early Detection Species found in Grand Traverse County, ISN's June events recap, and information on a gallery being held at the Boardman River Nature Center. Be sure to check out additional upcoming ISN and partner
events!
Yours in Conservation,
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 Volunteer Opportunities & Upcoming Events
July
Baby's Breath Workbee
When:
Thursday, July 12, 2018 | 10:am-12:00pm
Where:
Elberta Beach
Baby's Breath Workbee
When:
Saturday,
July 21, 2018 | 10:00am - noon
Where:
Elberta beach
August
When:
Thursday, August 2, 2018 | 10:00am - noon
Where:
Elberta beach
An Evening of Conservation: The Status of Invasive Species
Featuring Nature Change mini-documentaries highlighting Manistee County.
When:
Monday, August 6, 2018 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Where:
The Vogue Theatre Manistee, 383 River St. Manistee, M
Visit our
events page
to add other ISN events to your calendar.
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ALERT!
Swallow-wort Found In Grand Traverse County
ALERT! Black swallow-wort has been discovered for the first time in ISN's four-county service area, specifically in downtown Kingsley. This is a critical early detection species and we need your help to find other populations so treatment can begin as soon as possible. Swallow-wort is a member of the milkweed family and acts like a "sink" for monarch butterflies. Even when native milkweed species are present, female monarchs will often lay their eggs on the invasive variety. Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillars are unable to feed on the plant and die. Familiarize yourself with what swallow-wort looks like here: Think you may have found some? Please contact ISN at (231)941-0960.
ISN is looking for your help with spearheading
management
efforts for swallow-wort.
If interested in VOLUNTEERING please contact ISN Communications Specialist Rebecca Koteskey at
rkoteskey@gtcd.org.
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| Black Swallow-wort | Kingsley 2018 |
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June Events Recap
June was another busy month for ISN. We completed a Japanese knotweed training in Manistee County and two Japanese Barberry Trade-Up days; one held at the Manistee Conservation District and the other at the Grand Traverse Conservation District.
The Japanese knotweed training covered how knotweed grows and spreads, the best time and methods for controlling knotweed, hands-on demonstrations at a knotweed-infested site, and techniques for preventing the spread of knotweed including proper handling of waste. Keep an eye out for more training's next year.
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Japanese knotweed training in Manistee County
Photo by: Katie Grzesiak
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Japanese barberry in an invasive ornamental species commonly found in landscapes. It spreads quickly and easily beyond garden boundaries and into near by natural areas. Not only does Japanese barberry crowd out native species, but it also harbors blacklegged ticks that carry Lyme disease.
There were 225 Japanese barberry plants removed and brought in during these two ISN events. Thank you to all that participated!
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Grand Traverse County Japanese barberry event 2018
Photo by: Rebecca Koteskey
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Baby breath workbee | Elberta Beach 2018
Photo by: Rebecca Koteskey
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Gallery Open Now Through August
If you missed Jane Kramer's presentation and gallery opening earlier this month you still have a chance to see what all the fuss was about!
Visit artist Jane Kramer's gallery at the Boardman River Nature Center now through August. Jane collects invasive species, turning plant biomass into pulp and paper, and photographs the shadows of endangered plant species.
Boardman River Nature Center Hours: T-F 10am-4pm
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| Gallery at Boardman River Nature Center |
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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
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Find ISN on Instagram and Facebook!
Help the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network get seen and heard-follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Social media is a great way to share with our friends and family. Let them know your interest in ISN by following us and liking our pages. The more you get involved with ISN and our social media, the more your friends and family will learn about why and how habitat matters. Sharing posts from our page is also a great way to get others around you to see what ISN is up to and to further educate them on topics such as invasive species and habitat.
Thanks for your support!
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Invasive Species In The News
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