Invasive Species Management

Invasive species refers to species that are not native to a geographic area and are able to flourish in their new habitat. They often out-compete and displace native species, disrupting the delicate balance of the eco-system, which can have disastrous consequences.

Unlike plants and animals that have evolved over millions of years in association with other animals and plants in a delicately balanced food web, invasive species are strangers and because they are strangers, they lack natural predators that help to control their population. As a result, the species take over a particular habitat, creating a habitat wasteland.

Phragmites australis, an invasive plant that now dominates many marshes in the Great Lakes system, displaces native vegetation by aggressively forming dense monoculture stands along the coastlines in low lying areas, degrading the quality of marshland habitat by crowding out native wetland vegetation that is more beneficial to wildlife.

Controlling invasive Phragmites before it becomes well-established is key as doing so will reduce environmental impacts, time, and costs associated to not doing so.

Contact ONS for assistance with developing and implementing an invasive species control plan that considers any site specific conditions such as native plant diversity, wildlife usage, and water table fluctuations. Our invasive species management services also include:

  • On-site consultations
  • Identification of specific invasive species
  • Individualized site control plans
  • Plan, implement and manage site control plans
  • Permit acquisition
  • Fundraise and assist with project costs

Based on each site requirement and condition, site management plans could include one or more of the following activities: prescribed burning, mowing, rolling and herbicide applications over multiple years of management.