Volunteers Awarded for work on controlling invasive species
Weekly News Article Published: June 16, 2009 by the Central Office
MADISON - Thousands of volunteers, landowners and professionals around the state spend their weekends and evenings battling invasive species. The Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Invasive Species recently recognized some outstanding individuals and groups fighting invasive species with Invader Crusader Awards.
The 2009 awards were given out at the Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin’s Annual Meeting on May 30, 2009 that was held at the UW-Madison Arboretum. Award Winners include:
Voluntary Efforts:
- Susan Kenney, Sauk-Prairie River PALS, Sauk City – In 2006, Susan started simply with pulling garlic mustard along the Sauk River. It has now evolved into a project that involves elementary and high school students, planting of native species, installing bird houses, a Garlic Mustard Festival, and a first controlled burn this spring. She has also worked with local government officials to education them about the effects of invasive species.
- Roma Lenehan and Glenda Denniston, Friends of Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Madison – For many years, Roma and Glenda have been a force to be reckoned with at Lakeshore Nature Preserve where they lead invasive plant control efforts. In addition, they have done an outstanding job of collecting records of control efforts and results. Both Roma and Glenda have written several articles for the Friend’s newsletter and have done many tours.
- Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Cooperative, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties are all a part of this regional effort. Organized in 2007, SEWISC is comprised of multiple public and private organizations. In just one-and-a-half years, this group has created a protocol for monitoring, prioritizing and containing species and has held trainings and workshops to reach out to local citizen groups, nature centers, and local government agencies. They have a goal to develop a template weed ordinance that can be used as a guide for municipalities.
Professional Efforts:
- Bill Moore, Ecological Woodland Management, Platteville – As a restoration ecologist, Bill works not only to restore the prairies and savannas, but to teach the landowners about the commitment needed to control invasive species and manage their land. He recommends that the landowners work beside him to learn the techniques for various control methods.
- Peter Layton, Tallgrass Restoration, Milton – In 2003, Peter purchased 220 acres with the intention to restore it and to save the land from development. Being within an important bird area in the Lake Koshkonong watershed, he has increased the quality avian habitat to 220 acres of grassland. He has also worked on continuing preservation of his other parcel of land due to at-risk species that have called it home. His land is benefiting future research on biofuels and their effect on bird and insect communities by having an agreement with Michigan Tech. Peter is also on the steering committee for the Invasive Removal Squad which is an establishing Cooperative Weed Management Area in Rock, Green, and Jefferson counties.
- Gypsy Moth Suppression Team, Wisconsin DNR, Andrea Diss-Torrance, Bill McNee, Mark Guthmiller, Colleen Robinson-Klug – Formed in early 1990s to create a cost-share program for landowners and communities to suppress gypsy moths, this group has stayed committed to protecting our forests. Andrea Diss-Torrance has been the coordinator since it started, Bill McNee and Mark Guthmiller are regional DNR suppression program coordinators, and Colleen Robinson-Klug is the natural resource educator for the program. Thousands of acres of oak forests have been protected through their efforts which include providing financial support for suppression and training for community awareness. They have designed an invasive insect education program that teaches children and adults about the biology and management of invasive insects. A well informed public takes ownership of their areas and takes steps to suppress gypsy moths.
These awards are a part of Invasive Species Awareness Month. This is a time where individuals and groups throughout the state hold workshops, work parties, and field trips to educate others about invasive species in their areas and how to make a difference. More information about these activities can be found at Invasive Species Awareness Month [exit DNR].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney LeClair, 608-267-7438
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