Examining economic impacts of invasive species

Our 5th Annual Invasive Species Symposium was held on November 14th at Havenwoods Environmental Awareness Center in Milwaukee. The audience enjoyed listening to this year’s guest speakers who discussed the economic impacts of invasive plant and animal species.

Brian Swingle (Executive Director Wisconsin Green Industry Federation) described the impacts of invasive species on our Wisconsin Nursery Growers and the measures used to gradually phase out the sale of state-regulated species. William Provencher, Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics University of Wisconsin-Madison, shared his research involving the effects of milfoil invasions on northern Wisconsin lake property values.

Symposium attendees also visited with four exhibiting organizations and enjoyed local food refreshments and apple cider courtesy of Beans & Barley Market and Café, Milwaukee WI.

The SEWISC Board of Directors chose Sherry Speth from Sheboygan Falls as the recipient of SEWISC’s 2012 Sweat Equity Award. Sherry was nominated for the award by colleagues Jim Buchholz (WDNR Kohler-Andrae State Park Property Supervisor) and Jim Burkard (Vice-President of the Sheboygan County Master Gardeners). Sherry’s volunteer service has been invaluable to many local organizations including Kohler Andrea State Park, the University of Wisconsin Sheboygan Campus and Bookworm Gardens, which is a 2-acre children’s play garden that enhances literature and gardening. With teammate and husband, Dave, they volunteered 32 hours each and drove nearly 700 miles to collect invasive species data in both Lima and Wilson Townships during SEWISC’s 2011 and 2012 roadside surveys. Sherry also serves as Secretary and President of the Sheboygan County Master Gardeners Board of Directors. Her knowledge, skill and enthusiasm have earned her great respect in the community. Congratulations Sherry!