County Commissioners proclaimed this past May 15-22 the first ever Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) in Hamilton County.
This effort was led by the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership (HIP) and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). A variety of events were held designed to bring awareness to the general public on the number of invasive species in Hamilton County and the destruction and disturbance to our ecosystems they cause.
Weed Wrangle Volunteers show off their work clearing invasive species from the Midland Trace Trail in Westfield. (Photo provided)
The first of what will be a series of boot brush stations was opened at Cool Creek Park. These stations have invasive species educational signage and encourage trail users to wipe clean their shoes using the attached boot brush. A person’s shoes and gear can carry microscopic seeds of invasive species, so making sure your shoes, gear, and pet paws are clean before entering and upon exiting a trail can help limit the spread of invasives from site to site.
These stations will be located at various trailheads across the county, but the first is now available at the main trailhead at Cool Creek Park.
Volunteer invasive species workdays known as Weed Wrangles were also held at Cool Creek Park, Dillon Park, and along the Midland Trace Trail in Westfield. Other Awareness Week events included the premier of a video highlighting invasive pear trees as well as a webinar covering invasives species basics and native plant solutions.
More information about the activities listed above, upcoming Weed Wrangles and HIP events, and invasive species info can be found at hcinvasives.org.