Invasive Species Action Award
The Wisconsin Invasive Species Council is accepting nominations for the 21st annual Invasive Species Action Awards now through Feb. 16, 2025. Continue reading “Award Announcements”
Invasive plant
Forest Health Staff Public Appearance Set
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team leader Becky Gray will discuss invasives during a presentation to the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium, set for Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee. / Photo Credit: Art Kabelowsky, Wisconsin DNR
Forest Health team leader Becky Gray has planned an appearance at a public meeting of the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium (SEWISC). She’ll give a presentation covering invasives on a statewide level.
The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee, WI. More information is available on the SEWISC website.
CISMAs Plan Invasive Plant Events
When it comes to fighting invasive plants, Wisconsin’s Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) are often the first line of defense (and offense).
These regional groups provide a localized resource for landowners looking for invasive plant education, identification support and assistance with controlling invasives on their properties.
Japanese Stilt Grass An Aggressive New Invasive
By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh Service Center
Erika.Segersonmueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
The slightly off-center silvery midrib of Japanese stilt grass leaves provides a key to identification. / Photo Credit: Leslie J. Merhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Want an advantage over your taller friends? Try propping yourself up on a pair of stilts. As its name suggests, this is precisely how Japanese stilt grass operates. It uses “stilts” (branching rootlets near its base) both as support and to sprawl over nearby plants.
Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum) is an invasive, warm-season annual grass. It grows one to three feet tall and has an aggressive, mat-like growth that creates dense patches and discourages native plants from establishing. It is also a prolific seed producer, with each plant producing up to 1,000 seeds that can easily spread over land and water during its growing season.
Continue reading “Japanese Stilt Grass An Aggressive New Invasive”
Forest Health Public Appearance Set
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team leader Becky Gray will discuss invasives during a presentation to the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium, set for Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee. / Photo Credit: Art Kabelowsky, Wisconsin DNR
Forest Health team leader Becky Gray has planned an appearance at a public meeting of the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium (SEWISC). She’ll give a presentation covering invasives on a statewide level.
The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee, WI. More information is available on the SEWISC website.
Williams to appear at WWOA event: Linda Williams will take part in a Field Day event to discuss oak and pine issues during the four-day Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association meeting, set for Sept. 26-29 in Marshfield and Stevens Point. Four tours will take place Sept. 27; the Field Day will take place Sept. 29 at Pine Bluff Tree Farm in Stevens Point.
The event is open to the public. For more information, visit the event’s website or call 715-346-4798.
Which Thistle Is This Thistle?
By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh Service Center;
erika.segersonmueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
With 10 thistle species present in Wisconsin, it can be tricky to determine which thistle is which. You may be tempted to control every thistle you see, assuming all types are invasive. But Wisconsin also has native thistles that provide valuable habitat and food for small birds and butterflies.
Thistles are either biennials (following a two-year life cycle) or perennials (regrowing every spring). They have lobed, spiny leaves and sometimes spiny stems. Thistles have composite flowers, with each flowerhead being composed of many tiny flowers, or florets.
Read on a for an overview of invasive thistles found in Wisconsin so you can stop wondering: Which thistle is this thistle? Continue reading “Which Thistle Is This Thistle?”
CISMA Events For August, September
By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh Service Center;
erika.segersonmueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
When it comes to fighting invasive plants, Wisconsin’s CISMAs (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas) are often the first line of defense (and offense). These regional groups provide a localized resource for landowners looking for invasive plant education, identification support and assistance with controlling invasives on their properties. Continue reading “CISMA Events For August, September”
Upcoming Invasive Plant Management Workshops
Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium is teaming up again with Johnson’s Nursery, Inc.TM to offer Invasive Plant Management Workshops in 2024. Take this class to ensure that you are using the most appropriate, efficient, up-to-date and least environmentally damaging methods in those efforts. Continue reading “Upcoming Invasive Plant Management Workshops”
Invasives And Imposters: Native Look-Alikes To Know
By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh;
Erika.SegersonMueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
Native plants benefit Wisconsin wildlife, pollinators and ecosystems. However, many resemble harmful invasive species, making identifying problem plants in the woods challenging.
It is important to learn a few key characteristics to unmask the imposters and correctly identify the invasive plants. With a little study and practice, you can quickly differentiate between these perplexing pairs.
Continue reading “Invasives And Imposters: Native Look-Alikes To Know”
Best Disposal Methods For Garlic Mustard
By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh Service Center
Erika.SegersonMueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
Summer can be prime time for invasive plant control, with garlic mustard pulls and many other plant- or location-specific events taking place to confront invasive plants head-on.
Wanting to do your best to help, you might pull garlic mustard along your local hiking trail. But what should you do after you pull it?
Read on for invasive plant disposal tips to ensure you don’t inadvertently do more harm than good with your control efforts.