Empowering Door County citizens and municipalities with the information, tools, and skills to tackle invasive species.
Empowering Door County citizens and municipalities with the information, tools, and skills to tackle invasive species.
Door County Soil & Water Conservation Department (SWCD) has secured funding through Wisconsin DNR’s Surface Water Grant program, Forest Service’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative program, Fish and Wildlife’s Sustain our Great Lakes program, and funding through the American Rescue Plan Act funds to address non-native phragmites on all private properties throughout the County. Funds are anticipated to last for 5-years. If you know of any non-native phragmites populations please reach out to DCIST so we can offer this opportunity to any and all interested private property land owners.
Phragmites consumes a lot of water as it grows and has been documented lowering water levels in wetlands. Phragmites stands grow densely and quickly, shading out native species and preventing movement through well-established populations. Its dense stems can alter the flow of water and even clog drainage ditches. Additionally, these changes in hydrology and the dense impenetrable wall of growth limit water access, impede wildlife movement, alter water fowl habitat, and can decrease property values. To see the current inventory DCIST has please visit the Door County Web map http://map.co.door.wi.us/map/ click on the Conservation folder to open a drop-down menu and select the Invasive Plants folder. Under the Invasive Plants drop-down folder toggle the 2021 Phragmites Inventory, check the box and all populations mapped during last year’s season will be displayed.
For more information on this story check out our April 2022 Newsletter: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/9d8bdf99-a469-4a63-b6aa-964398b2ffe0/downloads/April%202022%20DCIST%20Newsletter.pdf?ver=1649963145747
