Three invasive species specialists visited KPVillas on August 9, 2023, to identify and inventory the invasive plants encircling the association's retention pond. Mandi Glanz, Regional Specialist for State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM) Regional Specialist led the evaluation with her colleagues Ally Pudlo, the Environmental Education Coordinator for St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Ann Garvey, the Special Projects Chair for Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes. Four KPVillas homeowners joined the site visit.
As the group walked around the pond, the three specialists recorded and pointed out features of the prolific invasives that are established here. The SICIM seeks to have "landowners, private groups and government agencies look for more effective ways to limit the growing economic and environmental damage caused by Invasive Species." They will follow up with a report of their findings and supporting material to help KPVillas decide how it wants to manage its natural resources.
Among the top culprits around the pond are invasive bittersweet, mulberry, and honeysuckle. The larger honeysuckle plants around the pond had been removed earlier in 2023, but shooters and new growth were still abundant. It and the other offending plants will displace native growth, yielding less biodiversity and spreading new invasive plant growth, much of it done by birds dispersing local seeds.
As the group walked the pond, the specialists collectively identified plants, native or not. A scheme evolved to image some plants with either a thumb up or thumb down.
If you wish to be involved in the management of the KPVillas parcel of land that contains a large portion of the retention pond, contact Chuck Bueter. You can learn more about invasive plants at www.sicim.info.
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