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HOPE FOR A BIOLOGICAL COIVTROL <br /> "(3ood news came this montb,"wrote G�nthis Boyd in the 3�Pau!Pione�r Pre.gs�3ept 26�2001,`•in a$20,000 <br /> nport commiasioned by the Mirmesota Department of Nat�ual Resoiutixs fivm the Cevter�ar Appliad Biosciaace <br /> Suternational in Dahnont,Switzorland. 'The]pp page resoarch pap�iacludes a iist of 14 insocta tlut sro possible <br /> naturai predators(of buckthorn),th�potentiei caotro�agents."According to Ltilco Slcmaer and Tey Rendail, <br /> coordidators in the DNR's exotic speciea program,the feasibility study was complaed'm 200I,but tb.e entire study <br /> �Y��p��Yesrs to complete, Tho naxt at�p wi�ll be to test the 14 species and determinc wliich onea hann <br /> buckthorn exclusively. In the moan_time it is up to us to make au affort W control buckthorn in sn ecologicall}L <br /> friandly wey, Thar we will see the return of our native plants. <br /> UVLRWAELMED BY IT ALI,? <br /> Ifyou've worked in a heavily buckthom-infestod area,it is eeay ta feel ovawhelmad. Don't give up. $uckthpm has <br /> had decadea to get a root-hold ahead of tho�e of us wlw would like to elim�iate�x. With the control methods <br /> deecsiUed h�e.tatal eliminadon of buckthorn on a city lot ie possible. in lbrger wooded areas the velume of <br /> 6uckthorn biomsss can ba staggering. Thsre,rt will be a multi•year battle:fust agaiaat the large planis,laner againat <br /> the seodtfnga t�at will emerge. The cost in terms of human-powa,time,equipma�t,and dolla�a fa high. Redudion <br /> of the critical masa is passibla;so priorU�retlon i$e�sential. Kaowing whe:tQ do and dofns aonrethtng is fsr batter <br /> tt►an leaving t�e iavasion uncheciced.gee prlorities helow for a good pl ace to start. <br /> BIICKTAORN REDUCTION PRIORITIF,S FOR T'HO5$OVEHWHELMED <br /> OR WITH A LIMTTED BUDGET <br /> 1. Sarny your site to lfnd pockeb ot rematning native planb. Ck�sround these plants fust. By doing this you <br /> °reka�e"thae ptanb from their buckthorn competitioa. Prot�act tlx�from being harmed during cutting <br /> and t+�uvat. Sometiares these natives ara vary,very small,the siu of sticks;but they ase worth Pmtociii►8, <br /> becauae when tbey are fteed,t�'bounce beck with aew growlh. Find a local nativo plarrt expert to help yau <br /> with id�tification, Uae colored rlbbon flagging to mai�tho spocial plarns to protect. These remnants are ti�e <br /> v�ry importaut local geno pool{plants that are indigenoas to your area). <br /> 2. Remove or kill female buckthorn first,'This atops amzuai seed prodvction in the ar�a,IVtarlc the female plents <br /> when ever fruit is viaiblq late summer through wintea�,for priority ramoval. <br /> 3. Protect quality wooded areat that ato on�y partially 3nfested first. <br /> ROR 1V�IGHBORHQOD R$MOVAL PROJLC�S <br /> 4. Partner wlth conaervation B�W�,Y�'��S',P�en clubs,�tt�ex neighbor�ood volunteers. <br /> 5. Search localiy for potential grant funding,th�write grant proposals, <br /> Ask laxl busmesses and fowndatians for assistanae. <br /> 6. Prlorltf�bnckthora removsls to be in high-profile areas;f�examgie,alaag bike paths,parkways,end in <br /> perlce• <br /> 7. Pabiidze what yo�'re doing: put up informatianal aigns in the praject area;distribute fl},era to nesrby <br /> residants;wrlte an articla far your local paper or association. <br /> 8. Stop to anawer qneetEon�of all those who iaquire whilo you are worldng. <br /> These metb.ods sound liko a lot of work,mui franWy�t ls, The beaiofits of orgenizing a project ere mauy. V✓ben I <br /> baBan ta�'Bani�e Proj�ta ia my neighborhood,l met neighbore for tha first time after liviag ouly a few doors away <br /> fnr roany yaars, You ws�l be proud of yow work when you see how tho natives respond to releaso. Helpin�to <br /> preserve a sma11 piec�of ow diminishing nativ�woodlands,savannas and wettands is nobte indeed. (�ood luck. <br /> Sa paga 8 for rofereucee and where t�o go for mora iaformation. <br /> 7 <br />