Invasive species education and control efforts planned

Monday, May 27, 2019

Do you know what an invasive species is? It is a plant or organism that is not native to our environment, and one that can cause (or is likely to cause) harm to our environment, economy and/or human health.

Several different invasive species currently exist in Putnam County and the surrounding area, including autumn olive, garlic mustard, Japanese honeysuckle and purple loosestrife to name a few.

Some invasive species are hard to identify, while others are easy to locate. Likewise, controlling invasive species can be difficult and time consuming.

Two events are planned in Putnam County to help property owners control the invasive species on their land.

An Invasive Species ID Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, May 30 from 6-8 p.m. at Ivy Tech Community College (915 Zinc Mill Rd., Greencastle). During this workshop, individuals will receive hands-on identification and eradication training with Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management regional specialist Amber Slaughterbeck.

It is recommended that participants wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes as we will be outside looking at plants. This event is being hosted by Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Ivy Tech Community College, Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District, Purdue Extension Putnam County and the City of Greencastle.

If you have any questions about this event, contact Amber at amber@sicim.info.

Join the group to discuss invasive species management in Putnam County on June 10 from noon to 1 p.m. at the York Automotive Family Community Building at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

Putnam County is forming a Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) with the help of partnership organizations, such as Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District, Purdue Extension Putnam County, and the City of Greencastle. Bring your lunch and get involved with this great organization. If you have questions about this event, contact Amber at Amber@sicim.info.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming Events

May 28 - 4-H Electricity workshop, 6 p.m., Harris Hall.

May 29 - 4-H Cake Decorating workshop, 5:30 pm, Harris Hall.

May 30 – Invasive Species ID workshop, 6-8 p.m., Ivy Tech Community College.

June 1 - Environmental Science 4-H Spark program, 9 a.m. – noon.

June 1 - Fairgrounds Fun Run.

June 8 - Environmental Science 4-H Spark program, 9 a.m. – noon.

June 10 – Invasive Species meeting, 12-1 p.m., Fairgrounds.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: