Beautification committee learns about invasive plants

While Thursday’s weather may not have been conducive to thoughts about building gardens, one group in Marquette had planting on its mind.

The guest presentation at Thursday’s Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee meeting focused on preparing to plant. The subject is a pertinent one for the committee, which puts on numerous garden-related events like the Petunia Pandemonium in south Marquette.

“We do that yearly, just to make Marquette beautiful as you’re entering from that side of the city,” said Michelle Cook, publicity chair for the committee. “We also do our garden tour and also a garden conference.”

The presentation given by the Marquette County Conservation District showed attendees the differences between native wildflowers and invasive plant species. The problems associated with non-native invasive species were a focal point of discussion.

“Since they didn’t evolve here in the upper Midwest, they lack natural predators and diseases, and so they’re really aggressive and can take over landscapes pretty quickly, displacing native plants that we want, that promote biodiversity and pollination and are just generally good to have,” said the Marquette County Conservation District Native Plants Coordinator Allyson Dale.

It was also noted that some invasive species, such as wild parsnip and its skin-burning oils, can be dangerous to human health. You can find out more information about the Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee by visiting their website. You can also learn more about the Marquette County Conservation District by visiting its website.