When you hear of invasive species, you might picture green-eyed aliens from outer space. Here in Door County, Soil and Water Conservationist, Greg Coulthurst, is defending against another kind of invasion. Certain plant species are threatening to take over our road ditches, fields and forests by crowding out native plants and disrupting wildlife habitats.
With the support of local residents, town boards and shoreline communities throughout Door County Greg has had success on Washington and Detroit Islands bringing a harmless-looking tall, brown grass, called Phragmites, largely under control. This summer he’s focusing on Wild Parsnip and Phragmites. Beginning in Southern Door, a contractor hired through funding from the US Forest Service, will spot treat some 60 miles of rights-of-way and 6 to 11 acres of privately owned land with additional treatments to follow this fall.
A tremendous amount of support comes from donations from local landowners and townships for this effort. Matching grants from the federal government and Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership further support this worthwhile effort to control invasive plants in Door County.
Jim Kettler, Executive Director of Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership, left, presents a check to support the invasive species eradication efforts in Door County, to Greg Coulthurst, Door County Soil and Water Conservationist.
