Invasive plant

Invasive Species Action Month: Action Awards, Awareness Weekend

Posted on by akabelowsky

The 2025 winners of the Invasive Species Action Awards. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Mackenzie Manicki, DNR Invasive Plant Specialist, Madison

In Wisconsin, June is Invasive Species Action Month (ISAM), and plenty of activities are planned to educate and motivate residents and visitors into action.

Invasive species are defined as nonnative organisms whose introduction can cause harm to the environment, the economy, or pose threats to human health.

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Invasives Spotlight: Black and Pale Swallow-wort

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Carter Hellenbrand, DNR Invasive Plant Field Specialist, Fitchburg
Carter.Hellenbrand@Wisconsin.gov

Note: This is the second installment in the Forest Health News “Invasives Spotlight” series, a monthly series of Forest Health News articles.

Monarch butterflies are dependent on native milkweed for survival. But did you know there are invasive plants within the milkweed family that negatively impact this relationship?

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Invasives And Imposters: Native Look-Alikes To Know

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Wisconsin DNR

With 145 invasive plants regulated under Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule NR40, it can be challenging to identify some of these plants while out in the woods.

The task can be further complicated by the presence of native lookalikes — plants that have a similar appearance to harmful invasive species, but are native plants that benefit wildlife, pollinators and ecosystems in Wisconsin.

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Species Spotlight: Japanese Honeysuckle

Posted on by akabelowsky

Japanese honeysuckle climbing up nearby trees. / Photo Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

By Carter Hellenbrand, DNR Invasive Plant Field Specialist, Fitchburg
Carter.Hellenbrand@Wisconsin.gov  

Note: This is the first installment in the Forest Health News “Invasives Spotlight” series, a monthly series of Forest Health News articles.

Many people recognize honeysuckle as a fast-spreading invasive shrub that can quickly displace native vegetation. But did you know that some honeysuckles exist as a vine?

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is an invasive perennial vine that can grow to a length of 80 feet or longer. Birds will often eat and disperse the berries the vine produces, allowing for the creation of new populations.

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Controlling Buckthorn With Plants

Posted on by janness

By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator, Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744 and Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator, Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675

buckthorn The Cover It Up project is a suite of related research projects conducted by multiple partners in Minnesota that are evaluating the ecology and management of buckthorn and other invasive plant species. Buckthorn is an invasive understory plant that was introduced to Wisconsin well over 100 years ago. It was used primarily in hedgerows, prized for its lack of pest issues and the fact it greens up early and holds its leaves well into the fall. These once desirable characteristics are also what turned this non-native into one of our state’s worst invasive species, easily outcompeting our natives, taking over Wisconsin’s forests, riparian woods, savannas, prairies, old fields, roadsides and vacant lots. Continue reading “Controlling Buckthorn With Plants” →

Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Spring Planting Plans

Posted on by akabelowsky
The invasive plant japanese barberry growing in a woodland area.

Originally planted as a garden ornamental, Japanese barberry can quickly escape cultivation and invade Wisconsin’s woodlands. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

As winter begins to loosen its grip on Wisconsin, many gardeners have turned their thoughts to that unmistakable harbinger of spring: Planting season.

While dreaming of spring blooms and designing your next garden or landscape layout, consider that invasive plants may try to weed their way into your plans.

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Stilt Grass StoryMap Updated For 2026

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Main page of the Wisconsin DNR's StoryMap on Japanese stilt grass.

The main page of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ StoryMap titled “Japanese Stilt Grass on the Coulee Experimental State Forest.” / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Carter Hellenbrand, DNR Invasive Plant Field Specialist, Fitchburg
Carter.Hellenbrand@wisconsin.gov

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health program has updated the Japanese stilt grass StoryMap to reflect all the work completed in 2025. The StoryMap documents the history of this invasive species on the Coulee Experimental State Forest in La Crosse County.

A StoryMap is a web-based content creation and communication tool that allows creators to share maps, apps and multimedia in the context of a narrative. Users can see an overview of Japanese stilt grass, how to identify it and what control efforts have been implemented since the plant was first detected in Wisconsin in 2020.

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Make Plans For National Invasives Week

Posted on by akabelowsky
Workers spray water from a hose to clean the wheels of a tractor in a woodlot.

Workers follow the practice of pressure-washing the tires and frames of a tractor to rid the vehicle of possible invasive plants after a workday in the forest. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

The North American Invasives Species Management Association (NAISMA) has organized a series of activities to take place as part of its National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), set for Feb. 23 through 27.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will participate by presenting a news release and daily social media posts in the days leading up to the start of NISAW’s 2026 activities.

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Correction On Plans For Discarding Holiday Decorations

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A pile of discarded Christmas trees in a drop-off lot.

A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

An article in the January edition of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Health News contained some incorrect information on the disposal of wreaths, trees, boughs and other holiday decorations.

The article focused on disposing holiday plant matter in ways that avoided the spread of invasive insects, seeds and spores that can spread to harm trees, plants and habitats.

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Be Mindful Of Invasives During Holiday Clean-Up

Posted on by akabelowsky
A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility.

A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

Invasive plants and insects don’t mind playing the long game. After all, they’re just trying to survive and thrive, like the rest of us.

They’ll hang out as part of your holiday decorations throughout the season, just on the chance humans might dispose of them improperly, giving them an opportunity to find a new home in your yard or neighborhood.

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