May - Door County Web Map

Door County
Page 1
Invasive Species Team
Invasive species updates for Door County and beyond May & June 2013
June Public Meeting:
Restoring Landscapes with Native Plants
Wednesday June 26th, 4:00-5:00pm
Door County Library – Sturgeon Bay Branch
Empowering citizens with the education, tools and skills necessary to control invasive species
DCIST is pleased to host Ned Dorff, co-president of the Green Bay Chapter of Wild Ones (a national non-profit that
strives to educate members and the community about the benefits of landscaping with native plants – visit
http://wildones.org/chapters/doorcounty/ for more information about our local chapter). Ned is also a Green Bay
school teacher that has restored multiple prairie landscapes in the city with the help of school children. He will be
discussing his experience in restoration and the successes and challenges that come along with fighting invasive
species. One of his current projects involves mapping public and private areas landscaped with native plants to
facilitate a corridor through the Greater Green Bay Area for migrating pollinators. The project also includes
recruiting and restoring new areas to fill in gaps between those rich in native species. If you have any questions
regarding this presentation, contract the DCIST coordinator at 920-746-5955 or dcist1@gmail.com.
2012 Invasive Species Awareness Month Poster Contest:
1st Runner-up (4th grade), Anna Carper, Argyle School District
Do you live in Door County and have a invasive plant in your
yard, neighborhood, or local natural area? Contact DCIST to
organize a work day or receive information and training to
become a weed warrior!
Wisconsin’s Invasive Species
Awareness Month is upon us!
Past newsletters have highlighted the poster
contest and Invader Crusader Awards that are
associated with Invasive Species Awareness Month
in Wisconsin, but the activities do not end there. A
variety of organizations host educational and
volunteer opportunities across the State. Learn
about the issues surrounding invasive species (both
plant and animal, aquatic and terrestrial) in
Wisconsin by attending workshops, field trips and
lectures. Also participate in invasive species control
work parties. Check out the Invasive Species
Awareness Month Event Calendar at
http://invasivespecies.wi.gov/awareness/section.as
p?linkid=1558&locid=63 for details on different
activities occurring and who to contact for more
information. See the next page for
opportunities in Door County.

Invasive Species Awareness Month:
Upcoming Door County Workshops and Work Parties
Page 2
The Ridges’ Barberry Pirates return with a vengeance – first workday set for June 5th
Crown vetch is an aggressive,
herbaceous perennial that spreads by
both seed and underground rhizomes.
In 2013 the Barberry Pirates will concentrate on three restoration projects;
Forget-me-not, Crown Vetch, and Black Swallow-wort. The Pirates will put an
emphasis on surveying all vegetation in the area, mapping the populations,
controlling, and conducting follow-up assessments of these invasive species to
understand how effective control efforts are. Permanent workshop dates have
not yet been set because timing of efforts are partially dependent upon the
phenology of the plants; however their first work day will be Wednesday June
5 th from 3:00-5:00p working on mapping and hand pulling forget-me-not.
Meet at the Ridges Upper Rangelight - Please contact Marne if you plan on
attending (marne@ridgessanctuary.org or 920-839-2802) or if you would like
to be added to The Barberry Pirates mailing list.
Help stop the spread of garlic mustard
with the Door Stewardship Alliance - Thursday June 13 th, 9:00am-12:00pm
Join the Door County Invasive Species Team, Door County Land Trust (DCLT) and Door Stewardship Alliance
volunteers as we identify, map, and control garlic mustard at one of the DCLT’s Bay Shore Road preserves in the
Town of Egg Harbor. If you’re not familiar with garlic mustard, or perhaps have been introduced only to a small
patch, this is an opportunity to see first-hand why this plant is a great threat to our forested landscapes. The
Land Trust has been working hard to control garlic mustard at the site, but we need your help! Parking may be
limited at the work site so we will meet at 9:00am at the Bayshore Blufflands Nature Preserve, 5454 Bay Shore
Drive (County B), to carpool. RSVP is not required, but appreciated – contact Kari Hagenow (khagneow@tnc.org)
or Bobbie Webster (bwebster@doorcountylandtrust.org) for more information.
Wild Parsnip is one a few plants whose sap can cause phytophotodermatitis, a light sensitive reaction on skin –
making it not only an invader, but a hazard. It became common along Southern Door roadsides and fence lines
before The Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department and DCIST teamed up with dedicated volunteers,
townships, and local landowners to begin management and control. Help us continue our successful attack on wild
parsnip – join us on June 14 th Wild Parsnip Control Workshop - Friday June 14
to learn to identify and safely control wild parsnip, while helping to remove it from a
large area near the County line. Meet at 9:30am at the end of Duvall Court (off of County Y) in the Town of Union.
Equipment will be provided, but long sleeves and pants are necessary. RSVP is not required, but appreciated –
contact Kari Hagenow, the DCIST coordinator (dcist1@gmail.com) for more information.
th, 9:30am-12:00pm
Mapping of Invasive grass Phragmites on Door County Shorelines
Training and Work Party – Friday June 28th, 10:00am
We are continuing GPS inventories of Phragmites this summer along Northern Door County Shorelines and right-ofways.
Join us to learn to identify Phragmites and go over our protocol for mapping this rapid invader. Those
interested may check-out GPS units to map their local shoreline or may walk nearby shoreline and inventory with
DCIST during the workshop. Meet at 10:00am at Frank E. Murphy County Park off of Bay Shore Road/Horseshoe
Bay Road in the Township of Egg Harbor. RSVP is not required, but appreciated – contact Kari Hagenow, the DCIST
coordinator (dcist1@gmail.com) for more information. Our current inventory may be viewed at
http://map.co.door.wi.us/map/.

GO NATIVE!
Local alternatives to non-native trees and shrubs
Page 3
Major sources for invasive species are escaped exotic plants from gardens or yards. Even today some of the worst
invasives such as exotic bush honeysuckle and common or glossy buckthorn are still available for purchase. The
use of native trees and shrubs not only eliminates the possibility of escape, but native plants are better suited for
local soils and climate, support better infiltration of rain water, maintain natural food resources and cover for
wildlife, and support local ecosystems through the services they provide. At the encouragement of a local
volunteer, we are providing the following list of native alternatives to common non-native trees such as Scots pine
(Pinus sylvestris) and Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and shrubs like Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii).
Native Shrubs Native Trees
Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Red-Oiser Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) American Linden/Basswood (Tilia americana)
Prairie Rose (Rosa arkansana) Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
Beaked Hazel (Corylus cornuta) Balsam fir (Abies balsamia)
Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) White pine (Pinus strobus), Red pine (Pinus resinosa)
Speckled alder (Alnus incana) White spruce (Picea glauca)
Further information on all of these species can be found at the following
websites: Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium at the University of
Wisconsin – Green Bay (www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium) and the
Freckman Herbarium at the University of Wisconsin – Steven’s Point
(www.wisplants.uwsp.edu) and the Wisconsin State Herbarium at the
University of Wisconsin (http://www.botany.wisc.edu/wisflora/). The
characteristics of the site you are planting will determine what native trees
are most suitable. Before you plant consider contacting a local forester or
natural resource professional for guidance.
White cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
Inflorescence of nannyberry
(Viburnum lentago).
Need tools or have input to provide regarding
Door County Invasive Species Team’s equipment loan program?
DCIST has a variety of tools ranging from safety equipment to backpack
sprayers available for loan to local landowners and neighborhood
organizations. Loan packages can be customized depending on the number
of people and the plant species being controlled. If you haven’t used the
program before, give it a try! If you have borrowed equipment in the past
or have suggestions on how we can improve our program, we want to hear
from you! Contact us at (920) 746-5955 or email dcist1@gmail.com. For
more information on available equipment and how to check it out, visit the
DCIST webpage at http://map.co.door.wi.us/swcd/invasive/.

Invasive Species Education Summit to take place
Wednesday June 19 th at Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River, Wisconsin
Page 4
Last June, nearly 100 invasive species education and outreach professionals from around the state came together
for the first ever Invasive Species Education Summit as part of the Invasive Species Awareness Month at Horicon
Marsh International Education Center. Hosted by the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council and the Department of
Natural Resources, the summit allowed participants to work toward better integration, more partnering
opportunities and better access to invasive species resources across the state.
This year’s summit will bring together invasive species education and outreach professional to share projects,
resources and ideas. Local weed warriors and concerned citizens are invited to join in and learn more about
invasive species and the work being done around the state. Distance participation will be available via a webinar
option. The summit is free, but registration will be required to attend either in person or via the webinar.
Registration information, the agenda, and more can be found at
http://invasivespecies.wi.gov/awareness/section.asp?linkid=808&locid=63.
17,953
39,123
8,375
Boats Inspected People Contacted Hours Spent
Statewide totals for the 2012 Landing Blitz –
courtesy of Wisconsin DNR.
Volunteers staff an information table at Berry Lake in
Oconto County during the 2012 Landing Blitz. Photograph
courtesy of the Berry Lake Association, Inc. webpage at
http://www.berrylake.org/Home/boat-landing-blitz--june-30-2012.
See the link above for more information
about last year’s events at Berry Lake.
Preparations for 2013 Landing Blitz Underway
With the summer boating season fast approaching, the
Wisconsin DNR and partner organizations are preparing for
the annual Landing Blitz to take place Thursday, July 4 th
through Sunday, July 7 th – a time frame during which both
boating traffic and the potential to spread aquatic invasive
species are high. One part of the Landing Blitz is increased
media coverage surrounding aquatic invasive species
prevention. The other component is an increased presence of
watercraft inspectors at landings all over Wisconsin. Lake
Associations and neighborhood organizations also take part in
the Blitz through volunteer watercraft inspectors, educational
booths, or events at their local boat launches (like last year’s
“Legislator at the Landing” in Bayfield County - read more at
http://www.ashlandwi.com/news/local/article_1eff0460cd45-11e1-9ffd-0019bb2963f4.html).
During the 2012 Landing Blitz, 118 hours of watercraft
inspections were conducted in Door County during which 260
boats were inspected and 613 boaters were contacted. If you
would like to participate in the 2013 Landing Blitz in Door
County as an individual or a group, leave a message for the
DCIST Coordinator at 920-746-5955 or email
DCIST1@gmail.com for more information. To learn more
about last year’s Landing Blitz, visit
http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/invasives/LandingBlitz.aspx.

New scientific studies reveal Midwestern frogs decline and
mammal populations altered by invasive plant
Two studies conducted by the Lincoln Park Zoo and Northern Illinois University
have discovered new means by which European buckthorn, an invasive shrub, is
impacting the fauna of the Midwest region. Research has shown several
amphibian species to exhibit low hatching rates in areas heavily infested with
European buckthorn. This is due to the release of emodin by the plant – a
chemical compound which is toxic to amphibian embryos. Additional research
has linked European buckthorn presence in forest preserves and natural areas
to increased carnivore prevalence. Previous studies have found that birds
which build nests in buckthorn are more susceptible to predation, but this is the
first study to investigate the association between buckthorn and habitat use by
mammal species. Researchers hypothesize that carnivores could be drawn to
buckthorn infested sites because birds and their nests are easier prey in these
areas. The studies will be published in upcoming editions of the Journal of
Herpetology and the Natural Areas Journal.
Page 5
European buckthorn can be
identified by the small thorns born
at the tips of most of its branches.
The fruits are consumed and seeds
readily spread by birds.
May Plant Profile: Dame’s Rocket
Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is non-native plant that can grow as a shortlived
perennial or a biennial. It starts from seed and grows close to the ground in
the form of a rosette during its first season of growth (top picture). The rosettes will
remain green all winter. In the early spring the plant will send up a tall, flowering
stem with lance-shaped leaves. These second-year plants (lower picture) flower in
late spring through the summer and produce large numbers of seed. The seeds are
easily spread via mud on tires and other equipment or by sticking on boots, shoes,
and clothing.
Dame’s rocket was introduced from Eurasia in the 1600’s and lacks natural predators
and diseases in North America. It competes with native herbaceous plants at the
edges of woodlands, in woodland openings, and in semi-open forests. In addition,
this competition for light, moisture and nutrients may inhibit tree seedling
germination and growth. In some areas, it forms extensive, monotypic stands.
Dame’s rocket is thought by many to be a native wildflower and is often found in
wildflower seed mixes or planted as an ornamental; however it can quickly escape
cultivation because of its prolific seed set.
This plant should not be confused with our native Phlox species, which has opposite
leaves that are not toothed and flowers with five petals (Dame’s rocket has four). In
Wisconsin, dame’s rocket is classified as “restricted” by Chapter NR 40, meaning it is
already established throughout the state but still has the potential to cause
significant environmental or economic harm. If you suspect you have this plant on
your property, contact DCIST for identification or for more information on what you
can do to halt invasion of exotic plants on your land.

June Plant Profile: Wild Parsnip
Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is an aggressive monocarpic perennial that
can grow up to five feet tall. It is often found along highways or bordering
farmed fields, but it has a broad habitat tolerance – able to grow in dry,
mesic, or wet habitats so long as they are not shaded. Wild parsnip is spread
primarily by seed and often through mowing and on equipment. It will grow
as a rosette for one or more years (top picture) and when conditions are
favorable, it will It produce a thick stem that will bear many large flat cluster
of yellow-green flowers (center). Flowers appear from the first of June
through July. After flowering and producing seed, the plant will die. The
seeds of wild parsnip are fairly large and many can be produced by a single
plant.
BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS IF YOU ARE AWORKING WITH OR NEAR THIS
PLANT! Sap from wild parsnip can cause phytophotodermatitis, a light
sensitive reaction on skin (bottom). If the juice from the broken stalks,
leaves or flowers contacts your skin and is exposed to sunlight, a skin rash or
burn will appear within 24-48 hours. Symptoms range from reddened skin to
large blisters that can leave scars that last a number of months or years.
Prevention is the best way to control wild parsnip. When wild parsnip is first
detected in an area, it can be cut below ground level with a sharp shovel. Be
sure to wear long sleeves, long pants and gloves when working with plants.
Also, try to work after sunset so that exposure to sunlight does not occur.
Plants can also be pulled by hand, if you wear protective gloves. If the wild
parsnip population is fairly large, you may use a brush-cutter just after peak
bloom and before the plant sets seed, but be sure to remove all cut material.
Herbicides can also be an effective option for large populations.
Wild parsnip can be confused with two native prairie species—golden
Alexander (Zizia aurea) and prairie parsley (Polytaenia nuttallii). Golden
Alexander is shorter and its leaves have only 3-7 leaflets, while parsnip has 5-
15. Prairie parsley leaves have few teeth and its flowers are rounded, not flat
like wild parsnip. In Wisconsin, wild parsnip is classified as “restricted” by
Chapter NR 40, meaning it is already established throughout the state but
still has the potential to cause significant environmental or economic harm.
If you suspect you have this plant on your property, contact DCIST for
identification or for more information on what you can do to halt invasion of
exotic plants on your land.
Page 6
The Door County Invasive Species Team – Kari Hagenow, Coordinator
DCIST Message Line: 920-746-5955; Email: dcist1@gmail.com
http://map.co.door.wi.us/swcd/invasive/default.htm