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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Parks and Recreation
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218-730-4309 • www.duluthmn.gov
218-730-4309 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact Kelli Latuska,
Public Information Officer at 218-730-5309
Public Information Officer at 218-730-5309
DATE: 5/29/2014
SUBJECT: Duluth Invasive Species Council seeks volunteers to help tackle Garlic Mustard and Japanese Knotweed
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator
SUBJECT: Duluth Invasive Species Council seeks volunteers to help tackle Garlic Mustard and Japanese Knotweed
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator
Duluth Invasive Species Council seeks volunteers to help tackle Garlic Mustard and Japanese Knotweed
[Duluth, MN] - Duluth is looking greener nowadays. But some of those plants that are sprouting are unwanted, non-native invasive species. The City of Duluth’s Invasive Species Council will be hosting events to educate and inform the public on the spring identification, removal and disposal of two invasive plants: Garlic Mustard and Japanese Knotweed (informally known as “bamboo”).
Garlic Mustard Pulls
Thursday, June 5, 5:30-6:30 PM
- Volunteers are to meet on 6th Ave E near E 11th Street
Wednesday, June 11, 5:30-6:30 PM
- Volunteers are to meet on 58th Ave E, just up from Oakley Street
Bamboo Blastings
Wednesday, June 18, 5:30-6:30 PM
- Volunteers are to meet at Fairmont Park, near the Lake Superior Zoo
Tuesday, June 24, 5:30-6:30 PM
- Volunteers are to meet at Lower Michigan Street, just west of 37 1/2th Ave W
About Japanese Knotweed: With a bamboo-like appearance, Japanese Knotweed was brought from Asia to the US in the 1800’s. The plant outcompetes native vegetation and greatly alters natural ecosystems, particularly along riparian zones. Bamboo has an ability to survive floods, and, quickly colonizes scoured shorelines and islands damaged in flood events. Japanese Knotweed is difficult to control. It is a perennial plant that dies back to the ground each year, and then grows to heights of ten feet or more, often growing several inches in height per day.
About Garlic Mustard: Typically, garlic mustard flowers arrive in late April to early May, but with the cool spring, Duluth’s patches have held off until June. The weed is among the most noxious in Minnesota, forming a dense carpet that can crowd out tree seedlings and native wildflowers. It is particularly troublesome because it infests shaded areas, which is unusual for invasive plant species. Its appearance is characterized by small, round, scalloped-edged evergreen leaves in its first year. Second-year plants have larger, arrow-shaped leaves. The second-year plants also bolt to heights of up to two feet and produce a small, white, four-petaled flower. The leaves and stems of the plant will smell like onion or garlic when crushed.
These events are open to all-ages; no-experience necessary. Please dress for the weather. Registration is encouraged, as event locations are subject to change.
For more information about these events, please contact Cheryl Skafte, Volunteer Coordinator, City of Duluth, at cskafte@duluthmn.gov or 218-730-4334.
Those seeking more information about Garlic Mustard or Japanese Knotweed are encouraged to visit
the Minnesota DNR website at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants
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