Educating the Public about Phragmites

Sign dedicated on August 29, 2013

Before the next step of actually spraying the phragmites engulfing Middle Lake, Depot Park, in Clarkston Michigan, Oakland Phragmite & Invasive Species, (OPIS), Task Force had a sign dedication. OPIS' mission statement states that: Oakland Phragmites & Invasive Species Task Force is a group of concerned citizens working to control the spread of phragmites and other non-native plants in Oakland County and beyond, by empowering concerned citizens and governments through education, advocacy and action. This is a vital part of OPIS' mission, to educate the public.

The sign dedication event was the result of many devoted people who wanted to get the word out about how devastating phragmites is to a wetlands and surrounding areas. It also explains what to do and who to contact if you find phragmites or other invasives on your property.

Lola Koch, OPIS, took on the challenge to create such a sign with information about the invasive species, Phragmites Australias.  With dedicated monies donated by Elizabeth and Ron Wagner to North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy, NOHLC, and working with Clinton River Watershed Association, who actually did the work to design the sign, the sign is there as a constant reminder of how this plant can become a monoculture if left unchecked. If you would like to become a member of OPIS, contact us at www.opistaskforce.org.

Members from Oakland Phragmites & Invasive Species (OPIS) Task Force, The City of the Village of Clarkston, Wild Ones, North Oakland Chapter, North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy (NOHLC), Clinton River Watershed Association and the Deer Lake Homeowners Associations at the dedication.

If you find phragmites or any invasive species of plants on your property rapid response is the best action you can take. The longer the invasive is allowed to remain, the more harm and damage it will do. If you need help identifying a plant you question, contact OPIS at www.opistaskforce.org and someone will get back with you. It will take all of us protecting our properties against these invasives to return Michigan to its natural beauty.

The Rest of the Story. . . .

Hello and glad to be back posting to my blog site. Due to a whole lot of other things in my life that no one has the time to listen to, I have been remiss in posting to Trouble in Native Paradise.  BUT the Phragmite removal project, spearheaded by Oakland Phragmites and Invasive Species Task Force and in conjunction with The City of the Village of Clarkston, Wild Ones, North Oakland Chapter, NOHLC, Deer Lake Homeowners Associations,Independence Township DPW, on Middle Lake, White Lake Road, Depot Park in the City of the Village of Clarkston has marched on.

On May 9, 2013 The City of the Village of Clarkston contracted David Mindell, Plantwise, LLC to burn the biomass of dead Phragmites at Middle Lake. This was the second stage to prepare the Phragmites for the spraying that would take place in late August/September.

                            The signs were placed along White Lake Road to alert the cars driving by.

                          David Mindell and his team of experts were ready for the challenge to burn the phrags.

The fires were strategically lit throughout the stand and within literally minutes the Phragmites were gone. It was actually scary to see how hot and fast and high the fire was. I have a greater respect for the firefighters who fight the fires out West, after seeing this 'controlled burn' and how quickly and how dangerous the flames, heat and smoke was I cant imagine an out of control wild fire.

 When all was said and done, the mission was accomplished. The old dead growth of 2012 was gone. After years of being hidden behind the vegetation of the encroaching phragmites, Middle Lake was visible from White Lake Road. On to step three..... and September.

They are Cut!!!!

Thursday, February 7, 2013 Bob Pursley of the City of the Village of Clarkston DPW cut the Phragmites under the power lines on White Lake Road. It received a lot of attention. The media was there from The Clarkston News and The Oakland Press, hundreds of car drove by during the 2 hours it took to do the job.

 One person actually stopped, she is from Oakland Township. She wanted to know what we were doing. We told her we were cutting the Phragmites under the power lines to prepare for a controlled burn to prepare the area to removal. The burn is to take place sometime before April 1st. The new growth, which is much more manageable,  will then be sprayed in the fall to kill the Phragmite stand and allow the area to be restored to its natural beauty. She asked Emily and I if we would consider speaking to the Oakland Township Board to explain to them how to get rid of their Phragmites. We are excited! One Phragmite stand at a time.... if that is what it takes.

As you drive by now, one can see Middle Lake. It is a sight for sore eyes. I urge you to call The City of the Village of Clarkston, thank them for their efforts to restore this beautiful area.

As an aside, I would like to wish my Uncle Carl a Happy 90th Birthday!

"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men."

"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men." Abraham Lincoln

I Protest!!!!!  I Protest, Mr. Lincoln, so what does that get me???  

To be clear what it means to protest, (remember I am the product of the 60's, I experienced protest with a Capital "P") I Googled, (far cry from using my 60"s dictionary, which I still have),  the word \pro-test\ :
       
  noun

1. : a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent: as
2. : a sworn declaration that payment of a note or bill has been refused and that all responsible signers or debtors are liable for resulting loss or damage
3. : a declaration made especially before or while paying that a tax is not illegal and that payment is not voluntary
4. : the act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval < resigned in protest>; especially : a usually organized public demonstration of disapproval
5. : a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or course of action <went under protest>
6. : an objection made to an official or a governing body of a sport

Ok, so I do protest: Here it What I protest, loud and clear to anyone who will listen:  

Oakland County, Independence Township, the City of the Village of Clarkston contain the beginnings of the Clinton River Watershed, waters that flow south and eastward and empty into Lake St. Clair. Inland lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, bogs and remnant Prairies are located along the routes, each providing homes for a diverse array of wildlife, plants, and offering recreational and educational opportunities. I live in one of the richest areas in the State of Michigan in the whole United States for that matter. Phragmites and Invasives plants are ruining the delicate balance of the ecological makeup of my hometown city, township, county and state. So I Protest!!  God knows I have paid my taxes. So what are they, the governing bodies, going to do about it?  We as a people can no longer allow Silence, these invasive plants are  attacking  the homes and food sources of our beloved animals, birds, insects, fish and native plants. Not to mention devaluing our properties and communities and causing huge liabilities through fire and flooding. We are loosing the assets for our future generations. I don't recognize where I live..... I am not in Europe, I don't want to see this changed landscape.

I have attended a lot of Seminars, I know that a lot of studies have been done. A lot of money has been spent on studies, a lot of jobs are counting on these studies. I am missing the actions of these studies, where are the results and 'Rapid Response' that should be applied? I know that there are certain individuals who are taking action, not waiting for the proverbial governmental fix. I choose to join these 'Rapid Responders'. SO..... 

Initially not knowing where to start, I had heard of the aggressive measures two areas in western and northern Michigan were doing to eradicate Invasive Species.  I visited these two areas,  Manistee Michigan, Portage Lake and Tipp of the Mitt Watershed Council, Petoskey, Michigan. They are making a difference. They are seeing results. These folks were so helpful and gave me the resources to help me form a group, Oakland Phragmites & Invasive Species Phighters.

My group has grown to include person from all walks of life, retired, working, photographers, writers, teachers, from Stewardship Networks, Watershed Councils and Land Conservancies, Environmental groups. Each individual and group bringing ideas and experiences to the meetings, they too want to see changes.  Each person as important as the other for what they bring and for the reasons that they are there.

The group is making an impact. Stay in touch.

Three Simple Rules In Life

 

I found this as a posting on Face Book. I am using it as my Screen Saver. I am going to post it everywhere.

With these three simple rules and the people that I am working with to eradicate Phragmites in Oakland County, we will succeed.

What is important enough for you to go after it? To ask the questions, to get the answers? Step forward! It gets lonely, stagnant and boring if you stay in the same place.

I am going in for back surgery, tomorrow. That is the reason I have been so inconsistent with the postings to the blog. Test.... appointments..... more tests and now the Big Day. Don't give up on me... I will continue to inform you of how we are proceeding with the Phragmite issue.

2013 is almost here, it will be the year we hit the ground running... what are you going after?

Phragmites Forum, November 26 , 2012 Grosse Pointe Shores, MI

For those of you who are following this blog who reside in St. Clair Counties and or along Lake St. Clair shoreline, here is a workshop you might be interested in. 

Phragmites Forum November 26th in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan

“Controlling Invasive Phragmites on the Lake St. Clair Shoreline” will be held at 7:00 p.m. on November 26 in the Council Chamber of the Grosse Pointe Shores Municipal Building, 795 Lake Shore Rd. The event is free and open to the public.”

To read an online article about the event go to:

http://grossepointe.patch.com/articles/bledsoe-to-host-forum-on-controlling-phragmites.

More to follow about Phragmites and its removal. 

Happy Thanksgiving

                                                       Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!


In October, my husband and I stopped at the Circle B Turkey Ranch in Mancelona, Michigan. We have been buying turkeys here for years. We know they are free range and lovingly cared for birds.

We purchased our frozen turkey and as we were getting ready to leave, the turkeys were let out of the barn for the day.. . I will let you finish the story.

                                                       Happy Thanksgiving to you all!