Defeat the Invasives
Invasive species are non-native and can be harmful to the environment or people. Invasives include plants, insects, animals, fungi, viruses, etc. As people travel and trade around the world, foreign organisms hitch a ride. When an organism enters a new environment without any natural predators, its population can grow rapidly and eventually overtake native organisms.
Seventy percent of invasive plants were brought here intentionally by the horticultural industry for ornamental purposes or for food. Burning bush, Asian bittersweet vines, and Japanese barberry are a few of the invasive plants that are still sold in local nurseries.
At the time NOHLC started, in 1972, we thought that preserving land simply required protecting it from development. We now understand that nature preserves require stewardship, including management of invasive plants. Just as our yards would turn into a weed patch without our care, our natural areas are vulnerable to degradation by invasive plants that displace native species and alter ecosystems. A large part of our stewardship work is removing invasive plants.
NOHLC offers a starter kit for homeowners to assist in controlling some invasive plants. Please see our information below and contact us for more information.
For help on how to print our brochures, click here.
Invasive species are non-native and can be harmful to the environment or people. Invasives include plants, insects, animals, fungi, viruses, etc. As people travel and trade around the world, foreign organisms hitch a ride. When an organism enters a new environment without any natural predators, its population can grow rapidly and eventually overtake native organisms.
Seventy percent of invasive plants were brought here intentionally by the horticultural industry for ornamental purposes or for food. Burning bush, Asian bittersweet vines, and Japanese barberry are a few of the invasive plants that are still sold in local nurseries.
At the time NOHLC started, in 1972, we thought that preserving land simply required protecting it from development. We now understand that nature preserves require stewardship, including management of invasive plants. Just as our yards would turn into a weed patch without our care, our natural areas are vulnerable to degradation by invasive plants that displace native species and alter ecosystems. A large part of our stewardship work is removing invasive plants.
NOHLC offers a starter kit for homeowners to assist in controlling some invasive plants. Please see our information below and contact us for more information.
For help on how to print our brochures, click here.
Asian bittersweet Deep rooted vine that strangles trees and bushes. Often confused with native bittersweet. |
Autumn olive Shrub can grow up to 20 feet high. Backside of leaves is silver color. Berries in fall. |
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Flowering rush Aquatic plant grows densely and spreads quickly. Found in shallow or deep water. |
Garlic mustard Thrives in forest understory displacing native flowers. Seeds can live for 5 years. |
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Purple loosestrife Often found by roadsides in disturbed habitat and taking over wetlands. |
Swallow-wort
The plants and roots of these species are toxic to mammals and insect larvae.
For more info
There are many great sources of information about invasive species online. They include:
There are many great sources of information about invasive species online. They include:
The Oakland County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area is part of a state wide network of CISMAs designed to help the public learn about and control invasive species. The Oakland CISMA is a collaboration between the county, local municipalities and non profits. It hosts an annual educational summit for the public and provides resources to map and treat emerging invasive species.
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