Northeast Chapter Attacking Invasives!
Help NE-INPAWS help wildflowers.
Be the change. Removing one bad plant makes a difference!
GET EDUCATED
Invasive Species Workshop
Sat., April 29, 9:30A–3:30P
Ouabache State Park, Bluffton. Meet at Trails End Shelter.
Identification Tools and Field Practice
Participants will learn proper identification skills and best-practice techniques for removal of invasive species. After a lunch, attendees will mark invasives in the park and spread native plant seed. Email Jody at jheaston@dnr.in.gov to sign up.
GET SOME PRACTICE
Invasive Species I.D. Hike w/Optional Garlic Mustard Pull
Sat., June 3, 10A–12P
Metea County Park, Fort Wayne. Meet at Entrance Gate Parking Lot.
One garlic mustard plant contains thousands of seeds.
Nate Simmons, Blue Heron Ministries, A Land Trust, helps you understand how invasives are taking a toll on our natural spaces. You’ll witness the destructive power of invasive species, like Asian bush honeysuckle and garlic mustard, in what should be pristine natural spaces along the Cedar Creek corridor. Plan to stay after the hike to pull garlic mustard, and your park entrance fee is waved.
Let us know you’re onboard at our facebook event page.
“It is amazing what one person’s donated time can accomplish.”
— Alec Snelson, assistant property manager, Ouabache State Park
GET INVOLVED
Here’s what you can do right now.
The Auburn Parks and Recreation Department is having an Arbor Day Tree Sale Friday, April 21, 8A-3P, and Saturday, April 22, 8A-12N [today and tomorrow].
While that’s a great idea, several of the trees and shrubs the department is offering are invasive and non-native species, including the ornamental, but dangerous, Cleveland pear tree.
Representatives of the Northeast Chapter have asked the department not to put more ornamental trees into Indiana’s ecosystem. While the department agreed to remove a the pear from next year’s list, it will proceed with selling the 10 stocked this year. Each ornamental pear produces thousands of seeds that have little nutritional value to wildlife. Just these 10 trees alone can produce hundreds of thousands of seeds.
You can:
1. Lend your voice to the effort. Call Eric Ditmars at the Auburn Parks Department at 260.925.2997 x 1801.
2. Pool money with others to buy a tree in order to destroy it. Share why you’ve chosen to do so.
3. Contact your local nursery or gardening center. Ask them to stop stocking ornamental pears that are so dangerous to Indiana’s ecology.
4. Encourage them to “grow native” by pointing them to the Grow Native INPAWS website.
5. Let others see your respectful, but concerned, thoughts on facebook. Spread the word. Snap a photo of pear trees gone rogue where you see it and share. Education is our most powerful tool.