Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Phragmites Seminar Tonight At ISEA

Tonight's Great Lakes Seminar is:

Phragmites Problems & Control in the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed


The Inland Seas Education Association will present a seminar that focuses on the issues surrounding the invasion of Phragmites at 7:00pm on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at the Inland Seas Education Center in Suttons Bay. The seminar, "Phragmites Problems and Control in the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed," will be presented by Ellen Kohler, Policy Specialist at The Watershed Center-Grand Traverse Bay. This seminar is free and open to the public.Phragmites is one of the highest-threat invasive species in Michigan, and it is quickly establishing itself in this region. Phragmites grows up to 14 feet tall, forms extensive dense stands, and harms native habitat by crowding out native vegetation. It also limits water access, damages property values, blocks views, and is very expensive and difficult to control once well-established. The Watershed Center-Grand Traverse Bay is the lead organization for Phragmites detection and control in Grand Traverse County. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment received grants to begin Phragmites control efforts in the fall of 2009. However, Phragmites is very aggressive and it will take several years of surveying and additional control measures to contain it.Ellen Kohler is a Policy Specialist at The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay. The Watershed Center advocates for clean water in Grand Traverse Bay and acts to protect and preserve the Bay's watershed. They are the leader in protecting and preserving the Bay's watershed and achieving broad community commitment to clean water.

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