Data delivery to our local governments

You collected the data and on your behalf, we will soon deliver it to your local roadside maintenance crews. With Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding through the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust (OWLT) has partnered with SEWISC to schedule meetings with key representatives in more than 100 cities, towns and villages in Washington, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha Counties.

Over the next year, SEWISC representatives will meet with staff of each local government and deliver location and population size data for five invasive species which were recently mapped along roadsides through the efforts of more than 150 volunteers. Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) was mapped by citizen scientists in 2012 while common and cut-leaved teasel (Dipsacus sylvestris and D. laciniatus), common reed grass (Phragmites australis) and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) populations were the target of 2011 efforts. These surveys were funded through the US Forest Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Sheboygan, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha Counties donated township maps for our surveyors.

In addition to the mapped data, SEWISC will deliver basic invasive species educational presentations along with draft long-term management plans. Each local government will be asked to adopt a final version of the plan and develop an annual budget for managing roadside invasive plants. The budgets will be used to help secure funding assistance if needed.

Volunteer surveyors will be notified of the meetings scheduled in their mapping areas and we hope that many will attend to support our efforts and encourage the control of these problematic species by their local roadway managers.

As part of this project, OWLT will prioritize and begin managing populations of Japanese knotweed and common reed grass. OWLT funding is also available for controlling populations of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and lyme grass (Leymus arenarius). Please report locations of lyme grass and purple loosestrife to: Daniel Rieland at: . SEWISC will prioritize and control the mapped common and cut-leaved teasel populations in 2013.

Resident volunteers have mapped more than 4,500 populations of 5 invasive plant species which are rapidly spreading along southeastern Wisconsin roadways. This information will now be delivered to roadway managers along with management plans and funding options.