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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth Communications Office
Mayor Roger J. Reinert
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information, please call 218-730-5309
DATE: 10/4/2013
SUBJECT: Buckthorn Brigade in Action this October and November
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator
SUBJECT: Buckthorn Brigade in Action this October and November
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator
Buckthorn Brigade in Action this October and November
[Duluth, MN] - The City of Duluth invites Duluth residents to join in on the ongoing fight against the invasive shrub - Buckthorn. Buckthorn is a common invasive plant that is prevalent not only in City parks and on trails, but also in backyards and front lawns. Buckthorn was first introduced into our area in the early 1800’s when it was used as a popular hedging plant. Now, it is illegal to import, sell, or transport buckthorn in Minnesota. Buckthorn poses a threat to other plants, provides a host to other pests, forms an impermeable layer of vegetation, and grows rapidly due to the lack of natural controls, such as insects and disease that would curb its growth.
[Duluth, MN] - The City of Duluth invites Duluth residents to join in on the ongoing fight against the invasive shrub - Buckthorn. Buckthorn is a common invasive plant that is prevalent not only in City parks and on trails, but also in backyards and front lawns. Buckthorn was first introduced into our area in the early 1800’s when it was used as a popular hedging plant. Now, it is illegal to import, sell, or transport buckthorn in Minnesota. Buckthorn poses a threat to other plants, provides a host to other pests, forms an impermeable layer of vegetation, and grows rapidly due to the lack of natural controls, such as insects and disease that would curb its growth.
“Once you learn how identify the shrub, you’ll begin to see it everywhere,” explained Steph Gibeau, Invasive Species Management Intern for the City of Duluth, who has been working on a Buckthorn Tracking Project in Hartley Park. “Buckthorn will remain dark green well into the fall, after all other trees turn color and lose their leaves. This makes the next six or seven weeks prime time for both identifying and removing the buckthorn from public areas,” Gibeau added.
The Buckthorn Brigade events are sponsored by the City of Duluth’s Duluth Invasive Species Council, organized by Duluth Parks and Recreation. Community members are invited to attend a public informational meeting to learn more about buckthorn identification and control methods on the following dates:
The Buckthorn Brigade events are sponsored by the City of Duluth’s Duluth Invasive Species Council, organized by Duluth Parks and Recreation. Community members are invited to attend a public informational meeting to learn more about buckthorn identification and control methods on the following dates:
Tuesday, October 8th – Informational Session - 5-6 PM @ Hartley Nature Center - Meet at the Hartley Nature Center at 3001 Woodland Avenue
Thursday, October 24th – Informational Session - 5-6 PM @ Hartley Nature Center - Meet at the Hartley Nature Center at 3001 Woodland Avenue
Duluth residents can assist in the removal and eradication of buckthorn during the Buckthorn Brigades on the following dates:
Saturday, October 12th – 10 AM-12 PM @ Hartley Nature Center
Meet at the Hartley Nature Center Public Information Kiosk at 3001 Woodland Avenue
Meet at the Hartley Nature Center Public Information Kiosk at 3001 Woodland Avenue
Sunday, October 13th – 2-4 PM @ Chester Bowl
Meet at the Chester Playground at 1801 E. Skyline
Meet at the Chester Playground at 1801 E. Skyline
Sunday, October 27th – 2-4 PM @ Lakewalk @ 21st
Meet at the parking lot located at 21st Ave E and Water Street
Meet at the parking lot located at 21st Ave E and Water Street
Saturday, November 9th – 10 AM-12 PM @ Keene Creek
Meet near the Keene Creek Dog Park parking lot, located in West Duluth near Grand Avenue and I-35, accessible by a paved walkway to the fenced area.
Meet near the Keene Creek Dog Park parking lot, located in West Duluth near Grand Avenue and I-35, accessible by a paved walkway to the fenced area.
Sunday, November 10th – 2-4 PM @ Western Waterfront Trail
Meet at Indian Point Campground at 7000 Pulaski Street
Meet at Indian Point Campground at 7000 Pulaski Street
Pre-registration is encouraged. For more information or to register as a family, an individual, or a group, contact Cheryl Skafte, Volunteer Coordinator, City of Duluth, at cskafte@duluthmn.gov or 218-393-9879.
Those seeking more information about Buckthorn and other non-native plants are encouraged to visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/buckthorn/index.html
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