Invasive Species Network News
June 2019

 

We certainly aren't complaining about summer's official arrival - it has brought with it plenty of warmth and sunshine! The end of June also marks a transition in the field season as garlic mustard is nearly done and other invasives are making an appearance. The treatment crew has been busy with Japanese knotweed management and soon, black swallow-wort will be a priority. 

In the world of outreach, we are pleased to be hosting another round of Japanese Knotweed Workshops that are free and open to anyone with an interest in managing this especially troublesome plant! There will be two locations - Leelanau and Manistee County. Please visit our website or read on below for more information. We hope to see you there. 

Also in this edition, learn about some summer look-a-likes (you're not seeing as much giant hogweed as you think) and check out our June Partner of the Month, the Manistee Conservation District. 

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with your invasive species questions/reports. Reports can also be made directly to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network . 

Yours in Conservation,
In this Issue:
jkJapanese Knotweed Community Workshops

 Leelanau County - Tuesday, July 9 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Manistee County - Wednesday, July 10 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Japanese knotweed, also known as "Michigan bamboo", is a highly invasive plant in our region and it's becoming a major issue for homeowners and land managers. Its incredible root system can damage infrastructure and above ground, it chokes out native vegetation and hurts wildlife habitat. The community workshops will focus on:
  • How knotweed grows and spreads
  • The best time and methods for controlling knotweed
  • Hands-on demonstration at a knotweed-infested site
  • Techniques for preventing the spread of knotweed including proper handling of waste
We will begin indoors for a presentation and then venture to a knotweed site for hands-on demonstrations of proper identification and treatment. 

The workshop is free and open to anyone with knotweed concerns. Light refreshments will be served. To help us better plan for the evening, please RSVP --> REGISTER HERE. You may also contact ISN Outreach Specialist, Emily Cook at (231)941-0960 x20 or [email protected].
isnevents
ISN Events

July 9        Japanese Knotweed Community Workshop  - Leelanau County  
                  Elmwood Township Hall | 5:00pm - 7:00pm
July 10      Japanese Knotweed Community Workshop - Manistee County
                  Munson Manistee Hospital Education Center | 5:00pm - 7:00pm
July 13        Baby's Breath Workbee   - Benzie County | 9:30am - 11:30am
July 25      Baby's Breath Workbee - Benzie County | 9:30am - 11:30am      



Partner Events

July 1        Native Gardens Tour and Workbee  - Grand Traverse County | 5pm
July 6        Hike at Clay Cliffs Natural Area  - Leelanau County | 10am
July 12       Farm Workday at Misty Acres  - Manistee County | 10am
July 12      Garden Party: Nature Art Auction  - Benzie County | 6pm
July 17       Urban and Suburban Meadows  - Benzie County | 7pm
July 20       Preservation Celebration at Maple Bay  - Grand Traverse | 11am

look Summer Look-a-likes

With summer officially in full swing, our eyes begin to notice other invasive species. Garlic mustard blooms fade while knotweed, autumn olive, purple loosestrife (and others) take over the landscape. Some species, however, have look-a-likes and it's important to familiarize yourself with the difference - especially when it comes to reporting them and determining proper management. 

The two species to focus on as we jump into July are giant hogweed and yellow flag iris. While we have very little hogweed in northwest Michigan, native cow parsnip looks incredibly similar and it's everywhere! Yellow flag iris is hard to misidentify because of its bloom color. That being said, make sure you aren't lumping all iris plants in the same category. The native, blue flag iris is a beneficial pollinator plant in our region. 



partnerofthemonth
June Partner of the Month
Manistee Conservation District

The Manistee Conservation District was organized in 1945 and works with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to provide the landowners of Manistee County with technical assistance for the protection of our local natural resources. They work in partnership with ISN to provide invasive plant management assistance on public and private lands. 
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