ORV CISMA awarded grants from Duke Energy Foundation and L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation to continue invasive plant species removal
We’re being invaded. But this invasion isn’t of the extraterrestrial variety. We’re experiencing an invasive plant invasion – non-native invasive plants are wreaking environmental and economic havoc across the region.
We’ve all seen it. Forested park areas and backyards overrun with honeysuckle, Callery Pear trees causing environmental and infrastructure (and odor) issues in our neighborhoods, Tree of Heaven crowding out healthy native plants and playing host to another invasive pest – the dreaded Spotted Lanternfly, and the list goes on and on.
With the help of some generous Tri-state foundations, the Ohio River Valley Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ORV CISMA) is working to do something about it. ORV CISMA is a coalition of nonprofits, agencies, and businesses working to share information and resources to control and remove invasive species in a 22-county area in the Ohio River Valley.
Ohio River Foundation (ORF), who coordinates the activities of ORV CISMA and originated the project in 2016, is pleased to announce it has received grants from Duke Energy Foundation and L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation to continue and expand ORV CISMA’s invasive plant and tree removal work in the region.
“We need to work aggressively to stop the spread of these invasive plants. Invasives can cause serious harm not only to our environment, but also to our economy and health,” said Ohio River Foundation Restoration Program Manager and ORV CISMA Coordinator Jessica Tegge. “Because invasive plants are expanding across our landscapes faster than people can stop them – plants don’t recognize property, city, county or state lines – a coordinated approach offers the best chance of reducing their spread. We all have to work together.”
Along with expanding ORV CISMA’s invasive plant and tree removal work in the region, with this additional funding ORF can provide more CISMA resources for its member organizations designed to increase public awareness, engagement and education, elevate regional invasive plant tracking capabilities, and help connect people, businesses, and communities with volunteer opportunities and removal assistance.
Recent ORV CISMA efforts have included expanding website resources including launching a new tool on its website to allow Tri-state citizens to log the invasive plant species they have removed. The tracking tool allows individuals to easily enter the species and number of plants, trees, and/or shrubs removed, along with their general geographic area. The tracker is designed for everyone including public, private, commercial, and industrial property owners to track and submit their efforts.
Additionally, ORV CISMA has also hosted webinars for the public featuring topics including invasive plant ID, removal techniques, and native plant information.
Current projects aimed at removing invasives include Ohio River Foundation and Cincinnati Parks’ efforts at Alms Park, ongoing habitat restoration work at Summit Park in Blue Ash, and Kingswood Park in Deerfield Township. Many other additional projects are underway at coalition partner (see list below) properties.
To learn more visit the ORV CISMA website. The website includes resources to help property owners who wish to remove non-native invasives and install native plant species along with volunteer opportunities. https://orvcisma.org
