Invasive Species Management - Grassland Bird Trust

Thank you PRISM for making invasive species management on our grasslands possible! Thank you to Ron Renoni and Mark Janey for your work in procuring this award from PRISM.
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Many of our grasslands have been overtaken by invasive knapweed destroying the habitat for breeding grassland birds as well as winter raptors. Invasive species management is crucial for the well-being of our grasslands.
Picture credit: Ron Renoni

Volunteers conducting the grid survey to identify invasive plant species and abundance.
Picture credit: Ron Renoni

Picture credit: Ron Renoni

Invasive bush honeysuckle and common Buckhorn shrubs had to be cut back.

Picture credit: Keith Swensen

Talking about invasive species management strategy.
Picture credit: Keith Swensen

Picture credit: Keith Swensen

Japanese knotweed was cut down and bagged since the plant can grow back from plant parts.
Picture credit: Keith Swensen

Picture credit: Keith Swensen

Japanese knotweed can grow back from the roots so an herbicide was also applied in the attempt to control the invasive.
Picture credit: Keith Swensen

Herbicide applicator makes it so that herbicide is localized to the plant. We don't want to apply too much!
Picture credit: Keith Swensen

Picture credit: Keith Swensen

50 acres were mowed this summer and 9 acres were treated with an herbicide specific to knapweed. When the knapweed leaves turn purple, it is an indicator that they are stressed.
Picture credit: Keith Swensen

Healthy knapweed leaves (not treated with herbicide).
Picture credit: Keith Swensen

Picture credit: Keith Swensen

Comparison of a treated vs. untreated area of knapweed. Treated area has purple (stressed) leaves and untreated area has vibrant green leaves. The effects of treatment will be studied further in spring 2023, but these results make us hopeful.
Picture credit: Keith Swensen

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