Wisconsin invasive species biologists are ramping up rapid response efforts to quickly control invasive plants when they are discovered and asking for the public's help in reporting new infestations of key prohibited species.
DNR invasive plant coordinator, Kelly Kearns, says invasive species affecting lakes, rivers and wetlands and forests have had funding available for rapid response for years.
The DNR has new federal money to tackle terrestrial invasive species. A second round of control work will be underway in the fall.
Kearns says they hope the public gets involved in getting rid of non- native nasty plants..
"..We are trying to get people all around the state to report when they find a new invasive species, or one that is new to their area, or if it's a species they don't recognize they can report it to us and we can identify it. If it's a species that's just starting to move into the state or into a new area, then we will try to find someone, whether one of our partners, or a contractor, to go in and do some control work on that...."
Under the state's invasive species rule, prohibited species are those that are not known to be in the state or only in small selected locations so containment is feasible. With some exceptions, it is illegal to sell, transfer and possess prohibited species. There are dozens of species on the prohibited list. Kearns says that the DNR is especially interested in finding infestations of wild chervil, amur cork tree, and lesser celandine, also known as fig buttercup. That plant can be fatal to humans and livestock.
Kearns says report your sightings to invasive.species@Wisconsin.gov, providing a photo, location and contact information. More information is at the DNR website with invasive species in the search box.
