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Friday, April 03, 2009 - 10:20 AM
There will be an Open house Thursday April 16th at the Athens Department of Natural Resources to talk
about funds and assistance currently available for controlling invasive species. It will last from 4pm-6pm
Woodland Invasive Species Program Launched to Promote Healthier Forests in 22-County Area
COLUMBUS, OH - Nearly $1 million in federal landowner assistance funds and technical advice from a forester are available in a 22-county area in central and southeastern Ohio for woodland owners interested in controlling invasive species.
The participating counties include: Adams, Athens, Champaign, Clark, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Madison, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Scioto, Ross, Vinton and Washington. (Click for map)
"It just makes more sense to grow oak trees than weed species like tree of heaven and bush honeysuckle," said David Lytle, state forester and chief of the Ohio Division of Forestry. "Thanks to a partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, nearly $1 million is available to landowners to remove these non-native species and to encourage healthier woods throughout central and southeastern Ohio."
Invasive plants are estimated to cause billions of dollars in damage annually to the environment, forestry, agriculture, industry and recreation.
Annemarie Smith, an invasive species forester based in Athens, is available to meet property owners with five or more acres of wooded land in the targeted twenty-two counties. She can assist landowners with plant identification, on ways to address an infestation of weedy invasive plants, including treatment and control recommendations, and on how to qualify for federal cost-share assistance funds provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).
In addition to working with landowners directly, Smith and other ODNR foresters will assist landowners through education and outreach.
Why grow a weed when you can grow an oak tree? Contact Annemarie Smith today at (740) 589-9914 or send an email to InvasiveSpeciesForester@dnr.state.oh.us. Help make your woods healthier and more valuable.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Learn more about the Ohio Division of Forestry and Invasive Species at www.ohiodnr.com/forestry.
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