Our Calumet Invasive Species Conservation Corps applies small amounts of herbicide by hand to the invasive phragmites at Wentworth prairie.
As the assistant crew leader of the Calumet Invasive Species Conservation Corps, I can tell you that we use herbicide as a last resort. Unfortunately, some invasive species cannot be removed mechanically so we have to chemically control those invasive species. Whenever we use herbicide, we follow safety procedures so that no harm comes to ourselves or to other native plants. We always protect ourselves first by wearing the proper PPE (personal, protective equipment) when mixing and applying herbicides.
Applying herbicide is not bad at all if you read the label and mix it properly. For example, there is a special herbicide that we use only around water called Aqua neat. This chemical is water-friendly so it won’t affect the water or insects. There are different chemicals for different invasive species. We apply herbicide, for instance, when we cut buckthorn, because without the herbicide, the buckthorn will grow right back the following year. Certain sites are high quality areas where we don’t use herbicide at all. Overall, we only apply herbicide in limited quantities directly to the invasive plants, and only when necessary. Without herbicide, many of our efforts to remove invasive species and restore the natural habitats would be wasted.
Tyrone Murdo collects native seeds at Dolton Prairie for planting later in the year.
By: Tyrone Murdo
Tyrone Murdo is the assistant crew leader of the Calumet Invasive Species Conservation Corps. He has been working with Friends for four years and is a master chainsawyer. He loves coming to work everyday knowing that he is making a direct difference in the world, and spending time with his crew members.