The Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST) May 2009 Bulletin.

please share . . . .

 

Happy Spring!!  The breezes are warming and many have enjoyed their first meal of morel mushrooms.  Spring has definitely arrived even as the plump skunk cabbage blooms next to the last pockets of cedar shaded ice and snow.

 

---Log hours worked on invasive species control

As we turn our efforts to our yards, gardens, fields and forests, DCIST reminds you to log the hours you spend controlling noxious weeds.    Whether working on invasives to improve your own property or collaborating with friends and neighbors to beautify a favorite local park or public space, these hours are the lifeblood of DCIST.   The good work you do, even on your own property, is used as match for grant funding – as long as the hours are turned in to the Soil & Water Conservation Department.  Please donate your hours.

 

--Visit DCIST website

Logging your efforts is as easy as visiting the DCIST website and printing out the volunteer logsheet.

 

 

While you are there, check out the online Calendar of Events, downloadable publications, and helpful information.  The Calendar of Events will keep you updated on where and when you can attend a Demonstration Workday or participate in a Workparty.

 

If you need help or advice improving your little corner of Door County, we have the tools and the expertise to help.  If you are interested in getting your neighbors together to beautify and improve your neighborhood, Contact us.  Our Native Landscapes appreciate your help!!

 

 

 

 

MAY DCIST MEETING

Tackling Problem Invasive Weeds 
 
MONDAY MAY 11, 2009
2PM - 4:30PM
COLLINS LEARNING CENTER, CROSSROADS AT BIG CREEK
2041 MICHIGAN STREET
STURGEON BAY, WISCONSIN

 
GOT  WEEDS?

The May DCIST meeting will explore the challenges associated with tackling problem invasive weeds.  2 brief presentations will be featured:

 

“Stemming the Tide” an excellent and informative new garlic mustard educational video thanks to Cindy Gaskill on Washington Island and Wisconsin Family Forests.

 

Master Gardener Patsy Stierna will present “Gardening to Preserve Wildflowers”, a slide show highlighting her efforts to safeguard a rich assemblage of spring wildflowers in Woodside Park in Sturgeon Bay by controlling garlic mustard and dames rocket.

 

An overview of common problem plants will include basic identification and a discussion on control tactics.  There will also be opportunities to sign up for garlic mustard demonstration control workparties.

 

DCIST meetings are always free and open to all. 
 

 

 

Door Stewardship Workparty

Invasive Species control work at the Mink River Preserve

 

Tuesday May 5, 2009

9:00am

Meet at the parking lot across form the Viking Restaurant in ‘downtown’ Ellison Bay

 

Our plan is to :  kill a patch of vinca, chop down Japanese knotweed, cut autumn olive and scout for garlic mustard.

Bring work gloves, clippers and rakes.  Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather.  Bring sunscreen and water.

Questions?  Contact: Mary Erickson, Project Assistant merickson@..., (920) 743-8695 (Phone)

 

 

Exotic Bush Honeysuckle Demonstration Work Days

Forest Beautification & Restoration at the Gibraltar Outdoor Classroom Site
 
Wednesday May 6, 2009

3:30 – 6pm

&

Saturday May 9, 2009
1 - 4pm
Gibraltar School, north parking lot near the tennis courts
Hwy 42
Fish Creek, Wisconsin
 
Last Fall, students at Gibraltar School collaborated with Peninsula State Park to clear exotic bush honeysuckle to prepare an outdoor classroom area.  The restoration project is off to a healthy start with lots more of the invasive shrub to remove.  The further we push into the pines away from the forest edges, the easier the work gets.  Join the Gibraltar Ecology Club, Friends of Peninsula State Park and the Door County Invasive Species Team to continue this important work.  Not everyone needs to feel comfortable using a saw or loppers – We need folks to drag brush too.
 
Meet in the north end of the Gibraltar School parking lot by the tennis courts.  Participants should dress for the weather and bring gloves.  Bring hands saws and loppers if you can.

Questions?:  Contact Bob Bultman 920. 421. 2283.

 

 

Garlic Mustard Control at Peninsula State Park

 

Saturday May 9, 2009

9am - ?

&

Tuesday May 12, 2009

1pm til 4

Eagle Lighthouse parking lot

Shore Road, Peninsula State Park

 

Join the Friends of Peninsula State Park to spray newly emerging garlic mustard plants.  Dress for the weather.  Bring a backpack or hand sprayer. 

Call Gary Kemp, Friends Volunteer Coordinator with Questions:  608.963.8705

 

 

Cladophora Presentation

May Niagara Escarpment Resource Network (NERN) Meeting

 

Friday May 15, 2009

9:30 am til noon

***new***Door County Land Trust office

10547 Koessel Lane

Sister Bay, Wisconsin

 

Join the Niagara Escarpment Resource Network for a presentation on the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership and a featured showing of the new video from Sea Grant entitled “All Washed Up: Lake Michigan’s Algae Challenge”.  The brief film illustrates well the cladophora problem in Lake Michigan and its connection with stormwater runoff and invasive mussels.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

 

 

The Door Peninsula encompasses globally significant ecosystems that are home to some of the greatest biological diversity in the entire Midwest.  The Door County Invasive Species Team is a collaboration of natural resource professionals, community leaders and interested citizens who are working to preserve and sustain this Natural Capital by empowering citizens with the education, the tools and the skills necessary to control invasive plants and animals.  By elevating the level and degree of invasive species education, control and eradication throughout the entire community, DCIST aims to sustain the wealth of Door County's Native Landscapes.

 

Volunteerism, donations and grant dollars sustain the DCIST effort.  DCIST generally meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 2pm.  To make a donation, set up a training session for your association or group, inquire about our Equipment Loan Program, or to be removed from this mailing list, please contact the coordinator. 

please visit the Door County Invasive Species Team website:

http://map.co.door.wi.us/swcd/invasive/index.htm

or phone 920.746.5955