Monroe County Invasive Plant Species

Working Group

Invasive species do not recognize land ownership or political boundaries. Partnerships are absolutely essential for education, management, and control of invasive plants. The Monroe County Invasive Plant Species Working Group (MCIPSWG) first met in 1998 and has been very active since then. The MCIPSWG Mission Statement is: (1) To educate public and private interests in Monroe County on the impacts of invasive species and (2) To conduct and promote the control/eradication of invasive plant species through interagency cooperation. The partnership is comprised of the following agencies, organizations, and individuals:

Fort McCoy Monroe Co. Land Conservation Department

WI Dept. of Transportation Monroe Co. Forestry Department

WI Dept. of Natural Resources Monroe Co. Extension Office

Monroe County 4-H USDA Natural Resources Cons. Service

Sparta School District Monroe Co. Highway Department

University of WI-LaCrosse Private Landowners and Volunteers

Since its inception, the MCIPSWG has become a subcommittee of the LaCrosse-Bad Axe River Basin Partnership Team. The first project that was undertaken by the MCIPSWG was developing informational brochures (fliers) that addressed six invasive plants found in Monroe County: spotted knapweed, leafy spurge, garlic mustard, glossy buckthorn, purple loosestrife, and Canada thistle. The brochures were printed in September 2000. Other projects and activities that are currently in progress or being planned include: identification of purple loosestrife sites in the county and obtaining biocontrol agents for controlling the plants; student research projects with the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse; continued efforts for controlling spotted knapweed between Fort McCoy and WI DOT; continued involvement with the LaCrosse Bad-Axe Partnership; glossy buckthorn control project with landowners bordering Fort McCoy; projects with Sparta High School students involving purple loosestrife; educational and informational outings with local schools; surveying for invasive plants on county lands; having a training session for science school teachers; and coordinating an invasive plant survey along county roads.

If you would like more information, or want to find out how you can become involved with MCIPSWG, please contact: Kim Mello, (608) 388-5766, email: kim.mello@wmh2.mccoy.army.mil