The Town of New Glarus Parks Commission has rescheduled their free Invasive Species Workshop for Sunday, April 7, 2019, from 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., at Bailey’s Run Winery, N8523 Klitzke Road, New Glarus. The original workshop, scheduled for February 23rd, was cancelled due to inclement weather. There will be presentations from three speakers who are experienced conservationists, presenting on invasive species, their effect on the environment, and methods for controlling their impact on native species.

Kelly Kearns

Kelly has a B.S. in Horticulture and Landscape Design from Purdue University and an M.S. in Restoration Ecology from the UW-Madison. Kelly is primarily responsible for coordinating work regarding terrestrial invasive plants for the Wisconsin DNR’s Natural Heritage Conservation program. This includes education and outreach, policy and rule revisions such as NR 40, working with partners and researchers, early detection and sharing control information.

Mike Davis

Mike has been interested and working with native species and the prevention of invasive species for over 20 years and has been an active member of The Prairie Enthusiasts during that time. Mike graduated as a Master Gardener upon completion of the coursework and hours required in 2004, and is also a Master Composter and Plant Home Advisor. For the last few years he has held a post as the Weed Commissioner for the Village and Town of New Glarus. His motto is “Have spade, will travel!”

Matt Sheaffer

Matt has been doing personal land management and invasive species removal on personal and friend’s land for over 20 years. Matt has been dedicated to farming and land conservation efforts most of his life, and in the last year started working at Applied Ecological Services. Matt’s focus is with their seed germination work at Taylor Creek Nurseries, a division that specializes in the germination of native plants and seed viability for prairie restoration.

Light refreshments will be served, and additional food and drink are available for purchase. There will be a special door prize drawing to win a Parsnip Predator tool, donated by the Sauk chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts.

This event is sponsored by the Town of New Glarus Parks Commission and there is no charge to attend this workshop. They do, however, ask that you reserve a ticket by registering at bit.ly/Invasives2019. Call Pattie Salter at (608) 527-2390 or email her at psalter@townofnewglarus.com with any questions, or to register.