July 20, 2015 at 1:31 p.m.
Community learns about invasive plants
Community learns about invasive plants
By Kayla Thomason-
The Lumberjack Resource Conservation and Development Council, Vilas County Land and Water Department, Timberland Invasives Partnership and the Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area co-sponsored the Invasive Species ID Day in their local areas.
People brought samples of plants, snails, insects or animals to the event to determine if what they had was safe or if it was going to pose a threat to the native wildlife.
Robert Kimla brought in grasses from his lake in Sugar Camp. He said he and his wife wanted to know if it was an invasive or native plant and what they should do about it.
"They've given us some names here that they're referring us over to the DNR and a couple other people," he said.
He said he thought the event offered a good service to the community.
Michele Sadauskas, Oneida County aquatic invasive species program coordinator, was happy with the turnout. She saw 15 to 20 people in the first few hours.
Invasive thistle and other terrestrial and aquatic invasives species were available for people to see.
Sadauskas said some native and invasive plants look quite similar, such as the purple loosestrife and the native fire weed, which are starting to bloom right now.
"It seems like for every invasive we have that native that's very close and can be confused so we try to work with people so they don't yank out the good stuff," she said.
"For the last couple of years I've often thought of having an invasive species ID event throughout the area," she added.
Originally, Sadauskas imagined the event taking place in Oneida County, but other area AIS officials liked the idea and it spread to Ashland, Tomahawk, Eagle River and Antigo.
"(I) want to thank the community," she said. "We're here, we're in it and without their help and support we wouldn't we where we're at and what we're doing."
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla@ rivernewsonline.com.
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