Lower Cascades Park

Bush Honeysuckle Project

What:      Invasive plant treatment

When:     Saturday, November 14, 10:00 - 2:00

Where:    The Waterfall Shelter in Lower Cascades Park

Who:       Anyone that would like to help (ages 16 and up)

Why:       To encourage native plants in the park

Details:   This project began in November of 2008 when Bloomington Parks and Recreation employees, along with many volunteers and staff from EcoLogic LLC, cut and removed bush honeysuckle from approximately three acres of steep hillside on the west side of the park.  In May of this year Parks staff sprayed the resprouting shrubs with herbicide (glyphosate) in an attempt to finish them off. 

On Saturday, Nov. 14 we will be respraying the surviving plants and expanding the treatment area.  Three different treatment methods will be used; cut stump treatment, foliar spraying and basal bark application.  The results will be monitored, evaluated and used to determine future bush honeysuckle management in local parks. 

Two invasive plant control groups, Monroe County – Identify and Reduce Invasive Species (MC-IRIS) and the Southern Indiana Cooperative Weed Management Area (SICWMA) are partners on this project.

Researchers from Indiana University are studying the effects of treating bush honeysuckle on the native flora in the park.  Native wildflowers are responding well to the treatment.

To volunteer, or for more information, please contact Steve Cotter at 349-3736.