|
|
|
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
and the Wisconsin State Herbarium have announced a new initiative.
Wisconsin Invasive Plants Reporting and
Prevention Project
Prevent the spread of plants
known to be newly invasive in Wisconsin or in nearby states.
Identify these population and
control or destroy them before they can
spread.
We hope the information presented here will assist in this
effort.
Wisconsin Weed Watcher
|
Invasive Plants of the Future
|
|
The Challenge
Wisconsin is a big place, with lots of places for weeds to grow . . . and hide. There are 54,300 square miles of forests, fields, wetlands, lakes, suburbs and cities. Of the state's 5 million residents, very few are familiar with local native trees, wildflowers and grasses -- or the invasive species that threaten them. Plus, seeds and plant parts are often small and easily dispersed by muddy shoes, tires treads, ATVs and boat trailers, or by birds, flowing water and even gardeners whose ornamentals escape into the wild.
With so many potential routes and places of introduction, that's why we need YOU to help. Our goal is to have hundreds – and someday thousands – of Weed Watchers committed to keeping invasives out of Wisconsin. In the process, we hope volunteers will gain a new appreciation for the state's native species and rich natural heritage.
Ways to be an effective "Weed Watcher"
First, you'll need to learn to recognize target plants and where they are likely to be found. Get to know the look-alikes, too. You can do this by viewing the Target Plants and other project materials, or by attending a Weed Watcher training. For instructions on plant-collecting, voucher-making and reporting, see Collecting & Reporting Guidelines.
Then . . .
-- Keep an eye open for target plants wherever you go – whether in settings
that are urban or rural, wild or developed. Often, invasives get their start
along roads or near human habitation – before they spread into natural areas.
-- "Adopt" a wild place or natural area and watch over it. Get to know the
current community of plants – both natives and non-natives – so you can
recognize when a target plant arrives.
-- Check the UW-Stevens Point Freckmann Herbarium
website to find current locations of target invasive species (those known to be
in the state). Go search for more occurrences in the area, and report them.
Make it Official: Register Now
When you register as a volunteer Wisconsin Weed Watcher, we will keep you informed – with periodic dispatches – about target plant sightings, invasive plant websites & resources, tips for sample collecting and plant eradication, and more. By letting us know the counties and places where you will be "watching," we will know which parts of the state are covered and which need more attention.
NOTE: Whether or not you register, we still hope you will be on the lookout for the target invasive plants and report any findings to the project coordinator. Thanks!
Registration Form
THANKS for your interest in becoming a volunteer Wisconsin Weed Watcher -- and for helping prevent new species of invasive plants from taking root in the state. When you register, we will be able to keep you informed by email (or US mail) on invasive plant sightings and other important information.
(You can still report and help eradicate target plants without registering, of course -- but we hope you will keep us posted on your activities.)
Please complete the form and send via email to InvasivePlants@mailplus.wisc.edu
Or print and mail to:
Invasive
Plants Prevention Project, UW-Herbarium
430 Lincoln
Dr., Madison, WI 53706
Contact Information
Name __________________________________________________
City, town, or township ____________________________________
County of residence _________________________________ State __________
Email address _______________________________________________________________
Phone number (________)_______________________________
Your Affiliations (employers, organizations and other groups that might be interested in this project)
Where will you "watch" for target plants?
(Mark all that apply, especially question 1)c
1. Primary County(s) of observation: _________________________________c 2. Roadsides and other travel corridors in my area.
c 3. On my own land (Note county, if different from above) _____________________
c 4. Aquatic settings (lakes, streams, wetlands)
c 5. Park or natural area – (Note name(s) & location) ___________________________
________________________________________________________________________
c 6. Other places (please specify) ______________________________________________
Are you willing to help control (eradicate or contain) populations of plants you or others find?
Yes ________ No __________ Maybe _________
Which target plants have you seen, and where?
(Use the Invasive Plant Report Form (pdf -Adobe® Reader®) to formally report your sightings)
For a current list of Target Plants, see website http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/invasive/futureplants (not yet available)
Notice: The information you provide will be used in a statewide volunteer effort to locate, eradicate and monitor selected invasive plants. Personally identifiable information collected on this form may be provided to requesters as required by Wisconsin's Open Records law [ss. 19.31 – 19.39, Wis. Stats.]
