Our parks need you!
Milwaukee County Parks contain most of the county’s remaining natural areas. These valuable areas are seriously threatened by aggressive non-native plants referred to as “invasive weeds.” Invasive weeds can dominate an area so completely that they crowd out native wildflowers, shrubs, and even trees. When the native plants are gone, so are the wildlife that depend on them. Some of the worst invasive weeds affecting our parks include garlic mustard, dame’s rocket, buckthorn and honeysuckle. In fact, many parks’ natural areas are already overrun by one or more of these swift-spreading species. If nothing is done to reverse this trend, the beauty, ecological, and economic health of our park system will be in jeopardy.
Join the Friends of Grant Park each spring and fall as we work to remove invasive weeds that threaten our park’s plant diversity. If you would like to participate, come prepared to work: wear gloves, socks and long pants, a long sleeve shirt and sturdy shoes. Sandals and shorts are not recommended given the increase in incidence of Lyme disease in our area.
2017 Fall Weed Out session, 9 a.m. to noon
(specific location yet to be determined)
Date: Saturday: Sept. 30th and Oct. 7th
Fall Targeted Invasives: Buckthorn and Honeysuckle
Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)- Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
Spring Targeted Invasives: Garlic mustard and Dames Rocket
Garlic mustard (alliaria petiolata)
- Dames rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
