I wrote this news release for Oakland County Parks. It discusses how volunteer efforts helped the parks system obtain a grant.

1. September 3, 2009
JoAnna McCulloch
OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS CONTROLS INVASIVE SPECIES WITH STATE GRANT
OAKLAND COUNTY – Oakland County Parks is tackling swallow-wort, an
invasive species, with a grant through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
and help from the Michigan State University Extension Conservation Stewardship
Program.
Swallow-wort is a highly-invasive, perennial vine that displaces desirable
vegetation in natural areas, fields and landscape settings. Vines can reach 15 feet or
more in height. Oval-shaped leaves are dark green and 2-5 inches long.
“Swallow-wort is one of the worst invasive plant species,” Brittany Bird, Oakland
County Parks natural resources planner, said. “It alters and degrades the natural habitat
wherever it grows.”
Independence Oaks County Park, Highland Oaks County Park and Rose Oaks
County Park are three of the Oakland County Parks that have identified swallow-wort
problems.
Alan Allgaier and Hannah Allgaier of Ortonville, students of MSU’s Extension
Conservation Stewardship Program helped locate and map swallow-wort at
Independence Oaks County Park as part of their capstone project. The father-daughter
team spent more than 40 hours documenting the invasive species.
“Their efforts really helped find problem areas, which will be included when we
treat and monitor the swallow-wort,” Bird said.
The Allgaier’s efforts also helped Oakland County Parks apply for a grant from
the MDNR, which received $100,000 in federal stimulus funds to allocate to different
regions. The MDNR awarded Oakland County Parks grant funds to pay an
environmental contractor to treat, control and assess the invasive species at three
locations.
“Another great aspect of the grant is the opportunity to offer partnership and
outreach to homeowners that border park property,” Bird said. “We know specifically
that swallow-wort is a problem for homeowners whose property borders Highland Oaks
County Park. We are doing all we can to inform these homeowners of the problem and
facilitate treatment of swallow-wort on their personal property.”
(MORE)

2. INVASIVE SPECIES GRANT – pg. 2
MSU’s Conservation Stewardship Program is dedicated to conserving
Michigan’s unique natural resources.
For more information, call Brittany Bird at 248-858-1726 or visit
DestinationOakland.com.
-30-