Conservation District of the Year!
2412 Taft Road, Allegan, MI 49010
(269) 466-1140
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm
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INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
What are invasive species? Invasive species are plants, animals or fungi that are not native and cause harm or are likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health. Not all non-native species are invasive, but the ones that are out-compete native plant species for vital resources like water and sunlight. The loss of native plants to invasive species is extremely detrimental to local ecosystems, wildlife, infrastructure, and more. Invasive species are a serious threat to biodiversity here in Michigan, and across the world. Allegan Conservation District works to fight against invasive species and protect healthy ecosystems in Allegan county.
Japanese Knotweed, photo courtesy of SEWISC
Hire the ACD Ecological Strike Team for Control of Invasive Species. The team operates from June to August on a variety of species like invasive bittersweet and Japanese knotweed. The species removal services are for-hire and are funded by an hourly fee paid by landowners.
If you are interested in invasive species treatment, please fill out this google form:
For any questions regarding invasive species management or treatment:
Ari Henson, Restoration Coordinator
cell: (269) 286-3736
MISIN is the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network
The Allegan Conservation District is a proud member of the West michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (WMCISMA), a partnership of groups and individuals working together to address invasive species in Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, Kent, Montcalm, and Newaygo Counties The WMCISMA serves the community by securing funding to treat invasive species, providing information on invasive species, and more. For any regional invasive species queries or more information on the WMCISMA, please contact: Murielle Garbarino
(616) 842-5852 ext 5
CISMA
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA)
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HWA is an invasive insect native to Japan. It extracts sap from hemlock trees, weakening needles, shoots, and branches. Over time, tree growth slows, and without treatment, infested trees die within 4-10 years. Hemlocks are some of the oldest living trees in Michigan, providing important habitat and winter cover for many species.
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HWA can be identified by:
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White, cottony masses about 1/4 the size of cotton swab attached to the twigs, at the base of needles on underside of branches
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Needle loss and branch die back, no new growth
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Gray-tinted foliage
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For more information on Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in West Michigan, please visit Ottawa Conservation District's website (OttawaCD.org). For questions about HWA treatment services, please contact the Forest Pest Specialist at Ottawa Conservation District:
Brendan Canavan, Forest Pest Specialist
(616) 414-2638
Spongy Moth Management
Outbreaks of spongy moth are not frequent but are unpleasant. Learn about why populations grow and collapse and how you can deal with their impact. Below are links and videos to help you decide how to manage your Spongy Moth outbreak.
