Workshop on Controlling Invasive Species and Planting Pollinators for Bees and Butterflies.  Hosted by Country Visions Coop at Reedsville,

Workshop on Controlling Invasive Species and Planting Pollinators for Bees and Butterflies.  Hosted by Country Visions Coop at Reedsville,

 6 pm on Thursday June 27^th.

Please join us for a hands-on workshop on Thursday, June 27^th starting at 6 pm at Country Visions Country Store on Highway 10 in Reedsville. Presenters will get you involved in demonstrations of controlling invasive species threatening our area such as Cut Leaf Teasel, Wild Parsnip and Phragmites.  Staff from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will share information on planting pollinators to attract bees and butterflies and programs available to help with cost of establishment of habitat on your property.

Tom Ward, retired conservationist and Invasive species manager for the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership will demonstrate chemical and manual methods to control phragmites, Cut Leaf Teasel and Wild Parsnip, along with answering questions about other invasive species threats in our area. Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties are currently part of a project to control phragmites before it spreads to all wetland areas and woodlands after our native Ash die from the invasive Emerald Ash Borer.  Following this two-year grant program, we would encourage property owners to monitor their treated sites and conduct follow-up control efforts.

USDA has 3 programs that landowners can use to try and establish pollinator habitat on the landscape.  They include the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).  There will be at least one representative from USDA-NRCS at the workshop and they will provide some simple/basic background on each of the programs and be able to answer any questions you may have. NRCS can also assist you in discussing the best options for installing pollinator habitat through one of the 3 programs.

The workshop will be at the Country Visions Country Store at 305 N 6^th Street, Reedsville, WI 54230.  An RSVP for the workshop would be appreciated by contacting them at 920/754-4322.