Dredging
Purple loosestrife, an invasive wetland perennial reaching three to seven feet tall with up to fifty purple flower spikes stems, is back. Purple loosestrife’s leader stem with many side branches makes it appear bushy. Clipped loosestrife grows back, cut stems re-root producing new plants. Approximately fifteen years ago the Upper Nemahbin Lake Management District used safe biocontrol beetles to control loosestrife. The beetle kept it in check allowing native wetland plants to thrive. Over the last two years purple loosestrife has significantly resurged. Large patches flourish along the middle Bark River and most unmaintained ditches and wetlands in the UNLMD.
The DNR says purple loosestrife is here to stay. We can however help insulate UNLMD wetlands from domination by this exotic invader by once again reuniting it with natural predator beetles. Biocontrol beetles are harmless to native wetland plants method of assisting the UNLMD maintain diverse, healthy wetlands.
The DNR says purple loosestrife is here to stay. We can however help insulate UNLMD wetlands from domination by this exotic invader by once again reuniting it with natural predator beetles. Biocontrol beetles are harmless to native wetland plants method of assisting the UNLMD maintain diverse, healthy wetlands.
The WIDNR assists volunteers in staging and placing beetle colonies. For more info https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/PurpleLoosestrife.html If you’re interested and willing to help reduce/control invasive purple loose in the UNLMD please contact board member Steven Libbey via email. Steven@creativegeniusmarketing.com
