Invasive plant workshop aims to alleviate problem
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —Hoosiers who would like to learn more about how to stop the spread of invasive aquatic plants can attend a workshop being offered in two different cities in September.The workshop, sponsored by the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, the Great Lakes Commission and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will be held on Sept. 11 in Indianapolis and Sept. 18 in Porter. Both workshops will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (EDT in Indianapolis and CDT in Porter).
One invasive species, Eurasian watermilfoil, grows in dense beds in lakes throughout Indiana, shading out native plant species and making boating, fishing and swimming nearly impossible, according to Kristin TePas, aquatic invasives Extension associate.
Because of this infestation, aquatic plant growers, retailers and enthusiasts are invited to share ideas on what Indiana should do to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants that are commercially available.
"At the workshop, we will start with an overview of the issues related to invasive species and describe what is currently being done in Indiana and other Great Lakes states," TePas said. "Then workshop participants will have an opportunity to propose ideas on how we might further address the problem."
The Sept. 11 workshop will be held at The Garrison, Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park, 6002 N. Post Road, Indianapolis. The Sept. 18 workshop will be held at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road in Porter.
Workshop registration is due by Sept. 1 and is available by contacting Erika Jensen at the Great Lakes Commission at (734) 971-9135, ext. 139, (743) 971-9150 (fax) or ejensen@glc.org. For more information about the workshops, contact Sea Grant at (847) 872-8677.
The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program is a partnership between the University of Illinois, Purdue University, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The program seeks to combine university, government, business and industry expertise to address coastal and Great Lakes needs.
Writer: Jennifer Stewart, (765) 494-8402, jsstewart@alumni.purdue.edu
Source: Kristin TePas, (847) 872-0141, ktepas@uiuc.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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