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Invasive species: Best Management Practices

Complied by Tana Turonie, Chequamegon Chapter of the North Country Trail Association

Invasive species of plants, animals and pathogens are on the landscape and thus our trails.   The following Best Management Practices  (BMP) are intended to:

a)help reduce the likelihood of invasive species introductions, and,  b)help control the effects of invasive species when they do arrive.

BMP-1   Learn to recognize invasive species common to the area you are in.  Very helpful Internet sources are:  Invasive Plants Association of WI at www.ipaw.org ,  Midwest Invasive Plant Network at www.mipn.org , Wisconsin DNR at  http://.dnr.wi.gov/invasives, plus brochures and trail signage.

BMP-2  Wear outer clothing layers and footwear that is less conducive to collecting seeds or other plant parts.

BMP-3  Inspect and clean hair, clothing, footwear and gear before and after recreating.  Do this at a trailhead, road or parking lot.  Do NOT do this in or near a waterway.

BMP-4  Inspect and clean off coat and feet of animals and their clothing/gear before and after recreating.  Do this at a trailhead, road or parking lot.  Do NOT do this in or near a waterway.

BMP-5   Place materials found during inspection and cleaning in a bag and dispose of properly.

BMP-6  Avoid picking any plants or plant parts unless you have a permit.

BMP-7  Use local firewood ONLY.

BMP-8  Stay on designated trails, roads and other developed areas(ex. Tent pads).

BMP-9 Report invasive species infestations to the trail chairperson, property owner or land manager.

More complete details of these BMP’s are on the Wisconsin Forestry website at www.council.wisconsinforestry.org