GROUPS PARTNER TO TREAT INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE DES PLAINES WATERSHED
The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, Inc. (OWLT) is a non-profit, non-governmental conservation organization that works to protect natural resources through partnerships with public and private landowners. In 2012, OWLT was awarded a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant from the EPA to control and eradicate wetland invasive species in southeastern Wisconsin. This grant is currently being carried out with partner organizations throughout six counties in the Lake Michigan Basin. OWLT and partners have set out to treat and protect 1,500 acres of wetland, riparian, and shoreline habitat from four invasive plant species: phragmites, Japanese knotweed, lyme grass, and purple loosestrife.
These invasive species were chosen based on their ability to spread and dominate landscapes and to out compete the native vegetation that local and migratory wildlife populations depend on. Early detection and rapid response is key in invasive species management. As invasive species populations become more established over time, costs associated with planning, permits, chemicals, and monitoring increase dramatically.
In 2014, OWLT teamed up with Kenosha Grounds Care, Halter Wildlife, LakeView Corporate Park Owners Association, and the Village of Pleasant Prairie to treat over 70 phragmites australis populations growing in the Des Plaines Watershed. Because this area is surrounded by development, managing the remaining open space to sustain ecosystem services (i.e. flood risk control) and support wildlife populations moving through the area becomes more important. The area will require long-term management efforts, which is why building partnerships is important to the project’s success. Management efforts will continue in 2015, and OWLT hopes the partnership to reduce these invasive species will continue in years to come.