Invasive species working group holds field day at Fort McCoy

Photo By Scott Sturkol | Endangered Species Biologist Tim Wilder with the Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division Natural Resources Branch explains how invasive plant species are controlled at the installation on June 14, 2018, at Pine View Campground as part of the Monroe County Invasive Species Working Group Field Day at Fort McCoy, Wis. The coordination for the event included not only Fort McCoy but also the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The event included an equipment display, numerous briefings about invasive species and how to control them, and updates from landowners currently fighting invasive species on their lands. More than 40 people attended the free, public event. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)  

FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES

06.21.2018

Story by Scott Sturkol                                                                                                  

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

More than 40 people participated in the Monroe County (Wis.) Invasive Species Working Group Field Day at Pine View Campground on June 14 at Fort McCoy.

The coordination for the event involved personnel with the Fort McCoy Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division Natural Resources Branch (NRB), Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and others.

Endangered Species Biologist Tim Wilder, Forester James Kerkman, and Forestry Technician Charles Mentzel with the NRB all participated in the event.

“I think we had a great turnout with more than 40 people,” said Megan Mickelson with the WDNR. “Fort McCoy served as a great location for this, too.”

The event included an equipment display, numerous briefings about invasive species and how to control them, and updates from landowners currently fighting invasive species on their lands.

Kerkman and Mentzel discussed invasive species and forestry. Wilder discussed how Fort McCoy applies its efforts for eradicating and controlling invasive plant species and some of the best ways to manage funding of that effort.

Wilder also showed event go-ers how to make walking sticks from invasive tree species, such as buckthorn.

“I think everyone learned from this (event),” Mickelson said.

The Monroe County Invasive Species Working Group is a cooperative effort led by Monroe County Land Conservation, WDNR Forestry, Fort McCoy, and the University of Wisconsin Extension Office.

The group meets regularly to discuss the latest and best ways to battle invasive species in Wisconsin.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at www.mccoy.army.mil, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”

• Date Taken: 06.21.2018
• Date Posted: 06.21.2018 14:22
• Story ID: 281817
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US