Events

Invasive Species Action: Best Practices to Protect Michigan’s Native Flora & Fauna from Intruders
Presented by Jessie Schulte, District Manager, Kent Conservation District

Location: Greenwood Cemetery - 1401 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

(Greenwood is the cemetery on the North side of Leonard and Mt Calvary Cemetery is on the South side.)

Use the entrance on Leonard Street, but the Greenwood Cemetery sign is past the entrance.  There is a yellow brick building as you enter off Leonard Street with the address.

Look for the Wild Ones arrow signs.

Please travel to the very back of the Cemetery (Look for the large building and parking lot where the park staff maintain their tractors and two dumpsters are located.)

Parking is limited, please carpool if possible.

GPS coordinates:  42°59'26.1"N 85°42'25.9"W

Please exit on Bristol St. when you leave the cemetery.

Welcome back to meeting and learning together in person once again! Join one of Kent County’s knowledgeable invasive species control experts and walk around Greenwood Cemetery to see examples of invasive plants. Information on how invasive plant species affect native plants, birds and wildlife will be provided. Participants will learn how to recognize different invasive plant species in the field, as well as how to report their sightings to the region’s mapping and identification system called MISIN. Various different treatment methods for invasive plant species control will be discussed. Schulte will provide a list of invasive species that will be identified, including Jetbead and Chocolate vine.

Long pants, closed-toe walking shoes, and insect repellant recommended.

Jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens) Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Jetbead fruit Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Chocolate Vine Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org

Chocolate Vine fruit Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

BIO: Jessie Schulte has been the Kent Conservation District Manager since 2016. She spent her first five years in Kent County working as the Land Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at Blandford Nature Center. Jessie has a BS in Resource Ecology from U of M-Flint's Earth Science Department. She has over 20 years of conservation experience gained from working all over the US from City Public Works to three National Parks. Jessie is passionate about invasive species education and control. She truly enjoys helping Kent County residents figure out ways to help land and looks forward to collaborating with you.
Banner photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff,
University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
 

AUGUST PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS

During the lead-up time to this remarkable program, the Education Committee thought you might enjoy viewing this pocket-sized, spiral-bound booklet called A Field ID Guide to Invasive Plants in Michigan’s Natural Communities issued by MSU Extension and MNFI (Michigan Natural Features Inventory). This compact field guide of 119 pages reviews Michigan’s invasive trees, shrubs, and woody vines with excellent color plates and can be viewed free online here. The Field Guides will be available for purchase at the August 16 event for $16. Cash or check only.

And don’t miss this newly updated 4-page color brochure from MIPN (Midwest Invasive Plant Network) called Landscape Alternatives for Invasive Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of the Great Lakes Region. You can view or download it free here. Learn why it’s so important to be wise and responsible consumers of plants for our outdoor spaces. We will have these beautiful and helpful brochures to distribute free-of-charge to attendees of our August 16 program.