Past Projects

These are a sampling of the types of the projects conducted by the Northwoods CWMA. Many of our partners are also involved in ongoing invasive species mapping, control, education, and research through their own organizations.

2014:

• Worked on the Ashland Shoreline Restoration Project, aiming to clear invasives along the Lake Superior shoreline and plant native species
• Hired two interns to conduct invasive plant managment along Town and County roads
• Hired two interns to travel with and operate a boat wash station at boat landings in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Iron counties
• Conducted a knotweed control project assisting many landowners
• Garlic mustard monitoring and control at various locations
• Phragmites monitoring and control
• Worked with local Wastewater treatment plants utilizing Phragmites reed beds
• Produced quarterly NCWMA newsletters
• Invasive Plant ID and Herbicide Use Training
• Invasive Species Kid's Day
• National Public Lands Day
• AIS Snapshot Day
• AIS Early Detection Monitoring
• Lake Superior Day
• Bayfield County Fair
• Cable Natural History Museum Event
• Updated the NCWMA Management Plan
• Visited school classrooms and other venues to talk about invasive species/have our display
• Participated in the Bayfield Apple Fest parade
• NCWMA Annual Picnic held with special guest Mark Renz

2013:

• Worked on the Ashland Shoreline Restoration Project, aiming to clear invasives along the Lake Superior shoreline and plant native species
• Hired two interns to conduct invasive plant managment along Town and County roads
• Hired two interns to travel with and operate a boat wash station at boat landings in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Iron counties
• Coordinated buckthorn managment on private lands through a contractor
• Worked with local Wastewater treatment plants utilizing Phragmites reed beds
• Produced quarterly NCWMA newsletters
• Hosted the following trainings: Madeline Island Invasive Species Training, Plant ID training, Bayfield Knotweed Walk, Northland College Workshop
• Hosted the following work days: Prentice Park Invasive Species Workshop, and a handful of Knotweed Knockouts, garlic mustard pull, pigweed pull, National Public Lands day
• NCWMA and display at a number of events including the Bayfield County Fair, Barnes AIS conference, Birding & Nature Fest, Kid's Fishing Day, Kid's Fishing Party, Herbster Community Fair, library invasive species month, and the NCWMA annual picnic
• Created the NCWMA bylaws and strategic plan
• New NCMWA brochure
• Visited school classrooms and other venues to talk about invasive species
• Participated in the Bayfield Apple Fest parade

2012:

• Worked on the City of Ashland Shoreline Restoration, aiming to clear invasives along the Lake Superior shoreline and plant native species
• Conducted invasive plant treatment at local gravel pits
• Produced a quarterly NCWMA newsletter
• Hired two interns to travel with and operate a boat wash station at boat landings in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Iron counties

2011:

• Worked on the City of Ashland Shoreline Restoration, aiming to clear invasives along the Lake Superior shoreline and plant native species
• Conducted invasive plant treatment at local gravel pits
• Produced a quarterly NCWMA newsletter
• Initiated the Roadside Inventory and Management Project, where we worked with local Towns to help them manage and identify invasive plants. Nearly 1,000 miles of roadway was inventoried. A management plan for each road crew was produced.

2010:

• Trained over 100 right-of-way managers in northern WI regarding new invasive species law and best management practices for right-of-way maintenance
• Began Northwoods CWMA quarterly e-newsletter for members and partners
• In cooperation with Northland College students and Ashland residents, cut buckthorn from Bay City Creek ravine in Ashland
• Organized community event with over 50 participants removing buckthorn and honeysuckle from Prentice Park in Ashland; involved Northland College, City of Ashland Public Works, and Ashland Parks and Recreation Department
• Pulled garlic mustard along Bad River near Copper Falls State Park in Mellen
• Hosted invasive species workshop in conjunction with Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival near Ashland

2009:

• Pulled garlic mustard along Bad River near Copper Falls State Park in Mellen
• Cut Japanese knotweed near Brownstone Trail in City of Bay?eld
• Partnered with local Boy Scouts and Madeline Island Wilderness Preserve to control buckthorn and Japenese barberry on Madeline Island
• Sprayed leafy spurge with landowners in Town of Washburn
• Farmer's Market booth each Saturday in summer to talk with local gardeners and consumers about invasive plants
• Cut buckthorn with local Girl Scouts and Master Gardeners for National Public Lands Day near Ashland

2008:

• Established Northwoods CWMA Community Tool Shed, stocked with supplies and hand tools for local residents to borrow for free
• Farmer's Market booth each Saturday in summer to talk with local gardeners and consumers about invasive plants
• Worked with Bad River Watershed Association members and Mellen residents to pull garlic mustard along Bad River near Copper Falls State Park
• Cut Japanese knotweed near Brownstone Trail in City of Bayield
• Hosted Invasive Species Field Day for local professionals working on invasives in northern WI
• Sprayed leafy spurge with landowners in Town of Washburn
• Organized buckthorn program for National Public Lands Day near Ashland

2007:

• Northwoods CWMA members sign initial MOU, formalizing partnership among agency members
• Collected and released Galerucella beetles to control purple loosestrife around Chequamegon Bay wetlands
• Sprayed leafy spurge with landowners in Town of Washburn
• Worked with Bayield Regional Conservancy, Apostle Islands Realty, and residents to cut Japanese knotweed along Brownstone Trail in Bayield
• Hosted Invasive Species Field Day for local professionals working on invasives in northern WI
• Organized buckthorn program for National Public Lands Day near Ashland

2006:

• Cut buckthorn and honeysuckle along Ashland City Trail
• Sprayed leafy spurge with landowners in Town of Washburn
• Collected and released Galerucella beetles to control purple loosestrife around Chequamegon Bay wetlands
• Hosted Invasive Species Field Day for local professionals working on invasives in northern WI

2005:

• Northwoods Weed Initiative formally became the Northwoods CWMA

Early Projects:

• Released Aphthona and Oberea biological control insects at local leafy spurge infestations
• Reared and released Galerucella beetles to control local purple loosestrife infestations
• Assisted with development of Leafy Spurge educational posters.
• Assisted with development of "Target Leafy Spurge" educational brochure
• Developed a management plan for managing leafy spurge in northwestern Wisconsin.
• Assisted with development of "Weeds of the Northern Lake States"
• Publicized invasive plant issues through local media
• Contribute data to GLIFWC's Internet Map Server
• Assisted with development of the "Plants Out Of Place" educational brochure.
• Helped coordinate and plan the "Plants Out of Place" statewide conference held in March, 2003.