Got Invasive Plants? Who Are You Gonna' Call?

Warm weather and above-average rainfall made 2024 a big year for lush plant life. Unfortunately, too many of those healthy plants were uninvited, unwanted, non-native invasive plants. 

It’s also been a big year for the Connecticut Invasive Plants Working Group, often called by its acronym, CIPWG (pronounced “sip-wig”). This consortium of environmental organizations, university affiliates, individuals, and government agencies promotes awareness of invasive plants, management methods, and native alternatives. I've been an active volunteer with CIPWG since 2018. 

In 2023, CIPWG participants logged 5300 hours of community service for the cause. In 2024, the CIPWG network successfully assisted the state’s Invasive Plants Council and the state legislature in updating the invasive plants list, the newest update since 2018. In addition, UConn Extension added a new outreach specialist for invasive species, Dr. Lauren Kurtz, who will support the CIPWG mission among other endeavors.

Now, the biannual CIPWG symposium is scheduled for October 29, 2024, at Storrs, CT. 

The keynote speaker is Peter Picone, a wildlife biologist who has tangled with these plants since the early 1990s in his role as a wildlife biologist with the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Picone is a popular speaker at community and professional events and has published papers, nature guides, and YouTube videos on related topics.  

His keynote is titled, “For the Love of Plants...To Plant or Not to Plant? A Wildlife Biologist's Perspective.”

Picone explains, “We can’t address the needs of wildlife without addressing their habitats. These days that means addressing invasive plants.”

The symposium is suitable for people from a wide range of backgrounds, including property owners, community volunteers, master gardeners, natural resource professionals, landscape architects, land care professionals, members of conservation organizations, and Town committee members. All interested people are welcome. CEUs are available for professionals.

If invasive plants are a problem for you or your community, register for this year’s symposium by visiting CIPWG.UConn.edu. You'll also find extensive resources on the website to help with invasive plant challenges. 

Note: I will be part of an afternoon panel, "Common Questions About Invasive Plant Management." 

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