Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
6/10/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Christopher Evans, Forestry Department, (515) 294-7125,
evanscw@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Volunteers Needed for Woodland Invasive Plant Survey
AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University and the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources are initiating a two-year survey of four invasive plant species
in Iowa woodlands and forests. The goal is to map the distribution and
severity of four major invasive plants in forests in the north central
United States and increase public awareness about invasive species.
The four species to be studied are: garlic mustard, Tartarian honeysuckle,
common buckthorn and multiflora rose. The survey will be done on private
and public land in Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa and other north central states.
To conduct a thorough survey, volunteers will be needed. Interested volunteers
are asked to attend a free, one-day training session. The workshop will
cover invasive species identification and data collection methods. A list
of the target survey sites in the area will be provided. The first three
training sessions have been scheduled for northeast Iowa.
- Friday, June 21, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Howard County Conservation
Board
(An optional lunch will be served at this training session for $5.) - Friday, June 21, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Yellow River State Forest Headquarters
- Saturday, June 22, 9 a.m. – noon, Buchanan County Conservation
Board
Researchers will combine all date collected to produce range and severity
maps for each of the four invasive species and develop an invasive species
management plan for the north central region of the United States. The
public will have access to the survey results through the project’s
Web site, various published materials and presentations.
Additional training sessions will be held throughout Iowa over the next
two summers. If you have questions, please contact: Christopher Evans
by phone at (515) 294-7125 or by e-mail at evanscw@iastate.edu.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.