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| Garlic mustard workbee held at Tank Hill, Frankfort |
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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 meet ISN's seasonal crew, find a recap of ISN's garlic mustard workbees, and highlighted June events. ISN has many more workbees and events scheduled for this spring and summer. Be sure to check out additional upcoming ISN and partner
events!
Yours in Conservation,
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Meet the Crew
When funding permits, ISN employs a seasonal crew leader and crew members to follow through with invasive species treatments. ISN's crew leader started in April to get the ball rolling for the season, and the rest of the crew not far behind, starting the first week of May.
We are happy to introduce 2018's crew leader, Audrey, and crew members Ann, Hannah (not pictured), and Josh. They will be focusing on garlic mustard during May and the first part of June, followed by Japanese knotweed treatments. The crew is also on lend to various ISN partner organizations throughout the summer to help with other high-priority projects, such as baby's breath removal.
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| 2018 Crew: Josh, Ann, and Audrey |
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Spring Workbee Recap
Spring is the time for ISN's garlic mustard workbees, with one held in each county of ISN's service area. We appreciate everyone who volunteered. We couldn't do it without you - Thank you!
Garlic mustard is an invasive plant species that crowds out native wildflowers, like trillium, and prevents the growth of forest tree seedlings. Its roots release a chemical into the soil which prevents seeds of other plants from sprouting nearby.
Garlic mustard can easily be hand-pulled, then bagged before it goes to seed. Never compost the plant, as seeds can survive composting and be spread.
Disposing of bagged garlic mustard has been tricky in the past. Even though it is legal to send to the dump, it can be difficult to communicate with the trash company. ISN has received funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through the US Forest Service to alleviate some of this struggle by working with partners to place designated dumpsters in each county of ISN's service area. When dropping off your bagged garlic mustard, there are signs on the dumpsters requesting you answer a short survey about the garlic mustard and where it came from to assist with the grant reporting. This survey is accessible through a QR code app on a smartphone or you may call the phone number provided.
Frankfort &
Lake Township Hall parking lot
Grand Traverse Conservation District/Boardman River Nature Center
Clay Cliffs Natural Area parking lot
Manistee Conservation District parking lot
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Highlighted June Events
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Invasive Species Papermaking with Jane Kramer
Join ISN for a presentation and class in June
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Gallery Opening and Presentation
Friday, June 1st, 6:30-7:45pm
Boardman River Nature Center
Arrive before the presentation, which starts at 7:00pm, to browse Jane's art which will be on display at the Boardman River Nature Center. Meet the artist, enjoy some food, and learn about the process of collecting invasive species, turning plant biomass into pulp and paper, and photographing the shadows of endangered plant species. The presentation will also include a demo of an alcohol gel transfer onto invasive plant species paper.
This event is open to the public and entirely free.
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Knotweed training in Manistee 2017
Photo by: Katie Grzesiak
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Join ISN to learn 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.
Training Opportunities:
Manistee County
When: Saturday, June 9 | 9:00am - 12:00pm (noon)
Where: First United Methodist Church
387 1st St. Manistee MI 49660
Leelanau County
When: Wednsday, June 13th | 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Elmwood Township Hall
10090 E. Lincoln Rd. Traverse City MI 49684
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Manistee trade-up day 2017
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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.
Drop-off Dates and Locations:
When: Friday, June 15 | 10:00am - 2:00pm
Where: Manistee Conservation District
8840 Chippewa Hwy. #1 Bear Lake MI 49614
Boardman River Nature Center
When: Saturday, June 16 | 10:00am - 2:00pm
Where: Boardman River Nature Center
1450 Cass Rd. Traverse City MI 49685
Join ISN and the
Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy as we work to remove invasive
baby's breath from Elberta Beach in Benzie County. With a deep taproot, removal is hard work but extremely rewarding. Shovels and other tools will be provided but please bring your own work gloves to protect your hands while using shovels. Long pants are recommended as therie is some poison ivy o the beach. Meet at Elberta Beach parking lot.
Dates:
Thursday, May 31 - 10:00am-12:00pm
Lunch provided by Papano's Pizza
Thursday, June 7 - 10:00am-12:00pm
Lunch provided by Elbertos Tacos
Saturday, June 16 - 10:00am-12:00pm
Bagels and cream cheese provided by L'Chayim
Visit ISN's events page for more baby's breath workbee dates.
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Volunteer Opportunities & Upcoming Events
May
Baby's Breath Workbee
When: Thursday, May 31, 2018 | 10:00am-noon
Where: Elberta Beach
June
Jane Kramer Gallery Opening & Presentation
When: Friday, June 1, 2018 | 6:00pm-7:45pm
Where: Boardman River Nature Center
Gallery opening/presentation-no registration necessary; no cap
Jane Kramer Papermaking Class
When: Saturday, June 2, 2018 | 10:00am-noon
Where: Boardman River Nature Center
Cost-$10/person
Partner & Volunteer Invasive Species ID & Mapping Training
When: Thursday, June 7, 2018 | 9:00am-3:00pm
Where: Boardman River Nature Center
Please contact Katie Grzesiak, kgrzesiak@gtcd.org, or call (231)941-0960x29
Baby's Breath Workbee
When: Thursday, June 7, 2018 | 10:00am-noon
Where: Elberta Beach
Knotweed Workshop
When: Saturday, June 9, 2018 | 9:00am-noon
Where: Manistee County | First United Methodist Church
387 1st St. Manistee MI 49660
Knotweed Workshop
When: Wednsday, June 13, 2018| 5:00pm-8:00pm
Where: Leelanau County | Elmwood Township Hall
1009 E. Lincoln Rd. Traverse City MI 49684
Japanese Barberry Trade-up Day
When: Friday, June 15, 2018 | 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: Manistee Conservation District
Japanese Barberry Trade-up Day
When: Saturday, June 16, 2018 | 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: Boardman River Nature Center
Baby's Breath Workbee
When: Saturday, June 16, 2018 | 10:00am-noon
Where: Elberta Beach
Visit our
events page
to add other ISN events to your calendar.
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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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